Mefloquine
Mefloquine is a medicine used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites. Mefloquine works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body.
Introduction
Generic name: Mefloquine
Brand name: Lariam
Dosage form: oral tablet (250 mg)
Drug class: Antimalarial quinolines
Uses
Malaria
Benefits
Meflotas Tablet is an antimalarial medicine and is used to treat malaria, a serious or life-threatening illness that is spread by a parasite that enters the human body by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
It kills the infection-causing parasite and stops the further spread of the infection. Take it only as prescribed and refrain from taking any other medicines along with this medicine (unless advised by the doctor) as they may affect the absorption of this medicine.
Do not use this medicine for treating any other condition without consulting your doctor.
Directions for use
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Meflotas Tablet is to be taken with food.
How it works?
Meflotas Tablet is an antiparasitic medication which treats malaria. It works by increasing the levels of haeme in the blood, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.
Side effects
Stop taking mefloquine and call your doctor right away if you any of these side effects:
Sudden headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, loss of balance, or problems with coordination
Severe anxiety, depression
Paranoia, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
Confusion, unusual behavior
Thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Mefloquine may cause serious side effects. Stop using mefloquine and call your doctor at once if you have:
A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
Seizure (convulsions)
Increased blood pressure–severe headache, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats
Liver problems–nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects of mefloquine may include:
Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea
Dizziness
Muscle pain
Fever, chills
Mild skin rash.
Warnings
Some people taking mefloquine have had sudden serious psychiatric or nerve problems, some of which lasted long after they stopped taking this medicine. These side effects can be permanent.
Stop taking mefloquine and call your doctor right away if have any of these side effects: headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, loss of balance, problems with coordination, anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
You should not take mefloquine to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of depression, an anxiety disorder, seizures, mental illness (such as schizophrenia), or psychosis.