Product Summary
This medicine contains the active ingredient mefloquine, which is a type of medicine called an antimalarial. It is used in both the prevention and treatment of malaria.
Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by various types of parasites known as Plasmodium. Plasmodium are carried by mosquitoes and injected into the bloodstream during a bite from an infected mosquito. Once inside the blood the parasites travel to the liver, where they multiply. The parasites are then released back into the bloodstream where they invade the red blood cells and multiply again. An actual attack of malaria develops when the red blood cells burst, releasing a mass of parasites into the bloodstream. The attacks do not begin until a sufficient number of blood cells have been infected with parasites.
Mefloquine works by attacking the parasites once they have entered the red blood cells. It kills the parasites and prevents them from multiplying further.
It is not fully understood how mefloquine kills the parasites, but it is thought to work by blocking the action of a chemical that the parasites produce to protect themselves once inside the red blood cells. The parasites inside the red blood cells digest the oxygen carrying pigment haemoglobin that is found in these cells. This divides the haemoglobin into two parts; haem and globin, and the haem part is toxic to the malaria parasite. To prevent itself from being damaged by haem, the malaria parasites produce a chemical that converts haem into a compound that is not toxic to them. Mefloquine blocks the action of this chemical. This causes the levels of the toxic haem to rise, thus killing the malaria parasites.
Mefloquine is one of the options for preventing malaria in areas of the world where there is a high risk of falciparum malaria that is resistant to chloroquine. It is important to check with your pharmacist which medicines are currently recommended to prevent malaria in the country you are travelling to.
If mefloquine is recommended it should be started at least one week but preferably two to three weeks before travel to the malarious region. It should then be taken throughout the stay so that if you are bitten by an infected mosquito, there will be medicine in your blood to prevent malaria developing. Mefloquine should be continued for a further four weeks after leaving the malarious area so that there is still medicine in the blood to kill any remaining parasites released from the liver into the red blood cells during this time.
Higher doses than those used for preventing malaria are used to treat malaria infection.
Product Details
How should I take Lariam (mefloquine)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
It is important to use this medication regularly to best prevent malaria. If you stop using the medication early for any reason, talk to your doctor about other forms of malaria prevention.
If you have trouble swallowing the mefloquine tablet, you may crush the tablet and mix it into a small glass of milk, water, or other beverage to make swallowing easier.
If you vomit within 1 hour after taking this medication, take another half dose. If your vomiting continues, call your doctor.
If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria:
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Start taking the medicine 1 week before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking the medicine once weekly during your stay and for at least 4 weeks after you leave the area. -
Take your weekly dose on the same day each week. -
If you stop taking the medicine early for any reason, contact a healthcare professional about another form of malaria prevention.
If you are taking mefloquine to treat malaria:
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Take five (5) tablets at one time, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. - Do not take mefloquine on an empty stomach.
- Take the medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
In addition to taking mefloquine, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be tested with blood tests on a regular basis. You may also need regular eye exams.
Do not miss any visits to your doctor.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.
No medication is 100% effective in treating or preventing malaria. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if you have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea during your treatment.
Store mefloquine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach discomfort, vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss, easy bruising or bleeding, and peeling of the skin on your hands or feet.
What is the most important information I should know about Lariam (mefloquine)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to mefloquine or similar medications such as quinine (Qualaquin) or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release).
You should not use this medication to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of seizures, depression, anxiety, or a psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia. However, your doctor may prescribe mefloquine to treat malaria even if you do have any of these conditions.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, severe complications from infection with malaria, or uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea.
If you vomit within 1 hour after taking this medication, take another dose. If your vomiting continues, call your doctor.
If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria, start taking it 1 week before entering an area where malaria is common. Take the medication once per week during your stay and for at least 4 weeks after you leave. If you stop taking the medicine early for any reason, contact a healthcare professional about another form of malaria prevention.
If you are taking this medicine to treat malaria, the usual dose is 5 tablets at one time as a single dose.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
In addition to taking mefloquine, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have a fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.
No medication is 100% effective in treating or preventing malaria. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if you have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea during your treatment.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lariam (mefloquine)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to mefloquine or similar medications such as quinine (Qualaquin) or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release).
You also should not use mefloquine to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of:
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seizures; -
depression; -
anxiety; or -
schizophrenia or other psychiatric illness.
However, your doctor may prescribe mefloquine to treat malaria even if you do have any of the conditions listed above.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
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liver disease; -
a history of depression; -
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; -
kidney disease; -
severe complications from malaria; or -
uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea.
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