Drug Name

Lariam (Mefloquine)

Drug Uses

This medication is used to treat as well as halt malaria.

How Taken

Obtain a Medication Guide that must be provided by your pharmacist. Read the Medication Guide before you earliest start using lariam as well as each time you obtain a refill. Incase you possess any questions, regarding the information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Carry the information wallet card with you at all times. Take by mouth, usually once a week, with food or milk to halt stomach upset; or as directed by your doctor. As well as take with a filled glass (8 oz. or 240 ml) of water. Do not take this on an empty stomach. For children who cannot swallow the tablets whole, lariam may be crushed as well as placed in a tiny amount of water, milk or sugar water. It should be given with food as well as should not be used on an empty stomach. The doctor will tell you the correct dose to take for your child. The dose is based on your child's weight. For children, beginning vomiting may occur after using lariam. Incase vomiting occurs in your child within 30 minutes of using the drug, give another filled dose. Incase vomiting occurs 30 minutes to 1 hour after a dose, give a half-dose. Incase vomiting continues, check with your doctor for a dissimilar medication to take in place of lariam. When using to halt malaria, the earliest dose of this medication should be used one week before travel, or as directed by your doctor. Take this medication as prescribed for filled course of treatment. It is substantial you not miss any doses as well as that you take the drug on a regularly scheduled basis. Remember to take it on the alike day each week. Upon returning from a malaria area, you should keep using this medication for 4 more weeks. Incase you are unable to finish this course of mefloquine, contact your doctor. Incase this medication is being used for prevention of malaria, it is substantial to understand that it is still likely to contract the disease. Notify your doctor immediately incase you develop a fever. Malaria is best treated incase therapy is started beginning.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Mefloquine is an orally administered antimalarial drug, used as a prophylaxis against as well as treatment for malaria. It as well as goes by the trade name Lariam® (manufactured by Roche Pharmaceuticals) as well as artificial name mefloquine hydrochloride (formulated with HCl).

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Incase it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from sunlight as well as moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children as well as pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Before using lariam, tell your doctor or pharmacist incase you are allergic to it; or to quinine or quinidine; or incase you possess any other allergies. This medication should not be used incase you possess the following health examination conditions: active or recent depression, anxiety disorder, psychiatric disorders, seizure disorders. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your health examination history, especially of: heart problems, liver problems. This medication may cause dizziness or loss of balance. Take caution when driving or engaging in activities, requiring alertness. Take with caution in children. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks as well as benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug.

Likely Side Effects

This medication may cause stomach upset, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, hair loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, deviating dreams, or lightheadedness. These effects should subside as your body adjusts to the medication. Incase these symptoms persist or become very bad, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately incase any of these unlikely but humorless side effects occur: quick, unhurried, or irregular heartbeat, seizures, muscle pain, loss of coordination, numbness as well as tingling of hands or feet, vision changes. Incase any of the following highly unlikely, but humorless side effects occur; consult your doctor immediately; you may need to halt using mefloquine as well as start another medication for malaria prevention: unexplained anxiety, mood changes, depression (sometimes very bad, including rare thoughts of suicide), hallucinations, restlessness, confusion. A humorless allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate health examination attention incase it occurs. Symptoms of a humorless allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, very bad dizziness, trouble breathing. Incase you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

Substantial to wear protective clothing, insect repellent, as well as take bednets when trying to halt malaria. Periodic eye examinations as well as laboratory tests (e.g., liver function tests) should be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.