Lariam

The active ingredient in Lariam is mefloquine hydrochloride. Mefloquine is an antimalarial medicine. It prevents and kills two types of malaria: Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, hence preventing infection and killing the parasites if present.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Lariam. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Lariam:

• To effectively prevent malaria, this medication should be used regularly (before, during, and after travel). If you stop using the drug for any reason, consult your doctor about alternate malaria prevention options.
• Take Lariam just after your main meal.
• Take this medication with a full glass (8 oz) of water.
• If you have difficulty swallowing the Lariam pill, crush it and mix it with a small glass of milk, water, or another beverage to make swallowing easier.
• If you vomit within 30 minutes of taking Lariam, take an additional full dose. If you vomit within 30-60 minutes after taking the medication, take another half-dose. If the vomiting continues, contact your doctor.
• If you're using this medication to prevent malaria:
• Lariam is typically used once a week to prevent malaria.
• Begin taking the medication one to three weeks before visiting a region where malaria is widespread. Take the medication once a week during your stay and for at least four weeks after you leave the area.
• Take your weekly medication on the same day every week.
• If you stop taking the medication for any reason, talk to your doctor about another method of malaria prevention.

Some mild and common side effects of mefloquine seen in clinical trials as compared to placebo include:

• Dizziness.
• Drop in blood pressure.
• Hair loss.
• Muscle pain.
• Stomach pain.
• Tiredness.
• Fever.
• Loss of balance.
• Chest pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Suicidal thoughts.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Lariam. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Frequent fevers, weariness, or chills (these can indicate a sudden decline in white blood cell count, increasing your risk of dangerous infections).
• Allergic reaction to the medication, such as hives, swelling in the face or throat, or a skin rash.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Lariam. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Lariam, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

• Depression.
• Anxiety disorders.
• Seizures.
• Mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or psychosis.
• Heart disease.
• Liver problems.
• Kidney disease.
• Epilepsy.
• Diabetes.
• Bleeding or blood-clotting issues.
• If you take blood thinners such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven.

• Depression is present or has occurred in the past.
• Anxiety disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, or other serious psychiatric illnesses.
• History of convulsions.

Lariam (mefloquine) begins functioning within a few hours of taking it, but for malaria prevention, it must be begun 1-2 weeks before travel so that the medicine can reach effective levels in the blood. When taken to treat malaria, it immediately kills parasites, but full symptom relief may take several days as the infection clears.

When Lariam is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Medications for the heart or blood pressure.
• Medicine is used to treat depression or mental illnesses.
• Seizure medicine.
• Tuberculosis medicine.
• A "live" vaccine, like measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
• Halofantrine.
• Chloroquine.
• Chlorpromazine.
• Quinidine.
• Quinine.
• Quinoline.
• Ketoconazole.
• Valproic acid.
• A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM).

Each tablet contains 250 milligrams of mefloquine.

Malaria treatment in adults: Take 1,250 mg orally as a single dose.

Adult malaria prevention: Take 250 mg (1 tablet) orally once per week while in a malaria-infested area or nation. The drug must be started one week before travelling in the malaria-infested area and continued for four weeks after leaving the nation.

Your healthcare physician may advise you to begin taking the prescription two to three weeks before your trip.

Treatment and prevention of malaria in children weighing 20 kg or more: Consult your child's doctor to determine the right dose of Mefloquine. The dosage will be based on your child's weight.

Store at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Roche Pharmaceuticals is the company that manufactures this medication.

There are several lower-cost generic versions available for Lariam.

You should not stop taking Lariam without consulting your doctor first. If you're using it to prevent malaria, stopping too soon may leave you exposed because you must continue taking it for 4 weeks after leaving a malaria-infested location. If you're using it to treat an illness, stopping too soon may cause it to return or worsen.

FDA pregnancy category B. It is unclear whether Lariam will harm an unborn fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant while using this medicine. Use effective birth control while taking this medicine and for at least three months after it has ended.

Mefloquine can enter breast milk, endangering a nursing baby. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding your child.