Mefloquin is a medicine used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites. This medicine works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body. Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Mefloquin is also used to prevent malaria. Mefloquin may also be used for purposes not listed in Mefloquin guide.
Mefloquin side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Mefloquin 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 ;
confusion, unusual behavior; or
thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Stop using Mefloquin 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; or
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 may include:
stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea;
dizziness;
muscle pain;
fever, chills; or
mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. See also: Side effects (in more detail)
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Mefloquin dosing
Usual Adult Dose for Malaria:
1250 mg orally as a single dose CDC recommendation for uncomplicated infections due to chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium vivax or P falciparum: 750 mg orally as initial dose, followed by 500 mg orally 6 to 12 hours after initial dose Approved indication: For treatment of mild to moderate acute malaria due to mefloquine-susceptible P falciparum or P vivax
Usual Adult Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis:
250 mg orally once a week Comments: -Should be taken on the same day of each week, preferably after the main meal -Prophylaxis should begin 1 week (per manufacturer) to 2 or more weeks (per CDC) before arrival in an endemic area and should continue for 4 weeks after leaving such areas. Approved indication: For prophylaxis of P falciparum and P vivax malaria infections, including prophylaxis of chloroquine-resistant strains of P falciparum
Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria:
6 months or older: 20 to 25 mg/kg orally as a single dose Maximum total dose: 1250 mg CDC recommendation for uncomplicated infections due to chloroquine-resistant P vivax or P falciparum: 15 mg/kg orally as initial dose, followed by 10 mg/kg orally 6 to 12 hours after initial dose Maximum total dose: 1250 mg Comments: -Manufacturer states splitting the total dose into 2 doses given 6 to 8 hours apart may reduce the occurrence or severity of side effects. -Pediatric dose should not exceed adult dose. -A second full dose should be given if the patient vomits less than 30 minutes after taking Mefloquin. -An additional half-dose should be given if the patient vomits 30 to 60 minutes after taking Mefloquin. -If vomiting recurs, the patient should be monitored closely and alternative malaria treatment should be considered if improvement is not observed within a reasonable period of time. Approved indication: For treatment of mild to moderate acute malaria due to mefloquine-susceptible P falciparum or P vivax
Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis:
20 to 30 kg: 125 mg (1/2 tablet) orally once a week 30 to 45 kg: 187.5 mg (3/4 tablet) orally once a week Greater than 45 kg: 250 mg (1 tablet) orally once a week CDC recommendation: 9 kg or less: 5 mg/kg orally once a week Greater than 9 to 19 kg: 62.5 mg (1/4 tablet) orally once a week Greater than 19 to 30 kg: 125 mg (1/2 tablet) orally once a week Greater than 30 to 45 kg: 187.5 mg (3/4 tablet) orally once a week Greater than 45 kg: 250 mg (1 tablet) orally once a week Comments: -Approximately 5 mg/kg (maximum: 250 mg/dose) orally once a week -Should be taken on the same day of each week, preferably after the main meal -Prophylaxis should begin 1 week (per manufacturer) to 2 or more weeks (per CDC) before arrival in an endemic area and should continue for 4 weeks after leaving such areas. Approved indication: For prophylaxis of P falciparum and P vivax malaria infections, including prophylaxis of chloroquine-resistant strains of P falciparum
Can Mefloquin be stopped immediately or do I have to stop the consumption gradually to ween off?
In some cases, it always advisable to stop the intake of some medicines gradually because of the rebound effect of the medicine.
It's wise to get in touch with your doctor as a professional advice is needed in this case regarding your health, medications and further recommendation to give you a stable health condition.
Who should not take Mefloquin?
Some people taking Mefloquin have had sudden serious psychiatric or nerve problems. Some of these effects have lasted for months to years after Mefloquin treatment ended, and these side effects can be permanent. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about taking Mefloquin.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Mefloquin or similar medications such as quinine or quinidine.
You also should not use Mefloquin to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of:
depression;
an anxiety disorder;
seizures; or
mental illness (such as schizophrenia) or psychosis.
However, your doctor may prescribe Mefloquin to treat malaria even if you do have any of the conditions listed above.
To make sure Mefloquin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
heart disease;
liver disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
diabetes;
bleeding or blood clotting disorder;
a history of mental disease; or
if you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).
FDA pregnancy category B. It is not known whether Mefloquin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medication. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication and for at least 3 months after your treatment ends.
Mefloquin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Mefloquin should not be used to treat malaria in a child younger than 6 months without a doctor's advice. Mefloquin should not be used to prevent malaria in a child who weighs less than 44 pounds.
How should I take Mefloquin?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
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.
Take Mefloquin just after your main meal.
Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
If you have trouble swallowing the Mefloquin 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 30 minutes after taking Mefloquin, take another full dose. If you vomit 30 to 60 minutes after taking the medicine, take another half dose. If your vomiting continues, call your doctor.
If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria:
Mefloquin is usually taken once per week to prevent malaria.
Start taking the medicine 1 to 3 weeks 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 Mefloquin to treat malaria:
Take as directed by your doctor.
In addition to taking Mefloquin, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
If you use this medication long-term, you may need frequent blood tests to check your liver function. Your vision may also need to be checked.
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 at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What other drugs will affect Mefloquin?
Many drugs can interact with Mefloquin. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with Mefloquin, especially:
heart or blood pressure medication;
medicine to treat depression or mental illness;
seizure medication;
tuberculosis medication; or
a "live" vaccine such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with Mefloquin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Can Mefloquin be taken or consumed while pregnant?
Please visit your doctor for a recommendation as such case requires special attention.
Can Mefloquin be taken for nursing mothers or during breastfeeding?
Kindly explain your state and condition to your doctor and seek medical advice from an expert.
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Reviews
Following the study conducted by gmedication.com on Mefloquin, the result is highlighted below. However, it must be clearly stated that the survey and result is based solely on the perception and impression of visitors and users of the website as well as consumers of Mefloquin. We, therefore, urge readers not to base their medical judgment strictly on the result of this study but on test/diagnosis duly conducted by a certified medical practitioners or physician.
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