Mefloquine

Description

Mefloquine is an antimalarial medication used for the prevention and treatment of malaria. It is particularly effective in treating malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum strain of the parasite.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Mefloquine

  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscle pain
  • Sleepiness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Tingling or numbness of the hands and feet
  • Light colored stools
  • Yellowing of skin and eyes
  • Uncontrolled shaking of arms or legs
  • Changes in vision
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Chest pain and discomfort
  • Skin rash and itching
  • Anxiety and nervousness
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears

Uses of Mefloquine

What is it prescribed for?

  • Acute malaria
  • Prevention of malaria
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed within 7-10 hours of administration.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for 2-3 weeks.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks involved.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Consult your doctor and discuss the risks and benefits before using this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended in patients with known allergy to Mefloquine or other 4-aminoquinoline compounds.

Quinine associated blackwater fever

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having a history of blackwater fever associated with quinine use.

Psychiatric disorders

This medicine is not recommended for preventive purposes in patients having psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia, convulsions etc.

Liver disease

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients having a severe impairment of the liver function.

Halofantrine

This medicine is not recommended for use if the patient is taking another antimalarial medicine, Halofantrine.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks involved.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Consult your doctor and discuss the risks and benefits before using this medicine.
General warnings

Severe malaria

This medicine should be used only after an intravenous dose of another antimalarial medicine is given for the treatment of a severe or life-threatening infection.

Other medicines

Report the use of all other medicines including herbs and supplements to the doctor before receiving Mefloquine. The potential for interaction with other medicines is very high.

Liver disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients having an impairment of normal liver function. An alternate medicine should be considered if the impairment is severe.

Decrease in blood cell count

Use of this medicine can affect the count of blood cells and cause associated complications. It is advised to undergo diagnostic tests on a regular basis to determine the blood cell count while using this medicine.

Opthalmic examination

Use of this medicine can cause abnormalities in the retina and cause vision changes. Periodic examination of the eyes is recommended while being treated with this medicine.

Psychiatric disorders

Use of this medicine can cause depression, agitation, anxiety, psychoses. Patients should be screened for any such disorder before initiating the treatment course with this medicine.

Epislepsy

Use of this medicine can cause convulsions and hence it should be used with caution in people having epilepsy or other convulsion disorders.

Preventive use

If the symptoms of malaria appear while taking mefloquine as a preventive medicine, the use should be discontinued and treatment with other antimalarial agents should begin.

Drug resistance

It is recommended to take this medicine for the entire prescribed duration even when symptoms improve or resolve. Failure to do so might result in drug resistance and treating any subsequent infection with the same medicine would be very difficult.

Prolongation of QT interval

Use of this medicine may increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with arrhythmias or any other heart diseases. Any symptoms of palpitations, difficulty in breathing should be reported to the doctor.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for the next scheduled dose, then the missed dose can be skipped.

Overdose

Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose with this medicine is suspected. Symptoms may include dizziness, change in pulse, fall in blood pressure, and convulsions.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Amlodipine

Escitalopram

Ketoconazole

Loperamide

Mifepristone

Tramadol

Amiodarone

Live attenuated vaccines and related products

Lumefantrine

Bupropion

Procainamide

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Mefloquine as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. It is advised to take this medicine at the same time every day. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed to prevent the spread of infection. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects
Miscelleneous

To be taken immediately after food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
This medicine works by inhibiting the growth and development of the malarial parasite present in the blood.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antimalarial Quinolines

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 9 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1701

DailyMed - Mefloquine hydrochloride tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 9 June 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=09716a24-d7da-42b2-af29-c03a1b6670bd

Mefloquine: DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 9 June 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00358

Mefloquine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 9 June 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603030.html

How will this medicine affect me?

Consult top doctors online and get an answer now
Consult now
Consult now

Looking for a doctor?

Book an appointment with the top doctors near you
Book now
Book now
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 8 Jan 2018

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.