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What is Lariam
MefloquineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryMalaria is a serious disease found in many parts of the world that is caused by a parasite. In the last two decades, the number of deaths from malaria has decreased by 60%. It is most dangerous for people who are not living in malaria-endemic areas, children under 5, pregnant women, refugees, and immigrants visiting their country of origin. Mefloquine (also known as Lariam) is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria. It was developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in the 1960s and 1970s, and was approved by the FDA in 1989. There have been reports of serious neurological
Mefloquine Hydrochlorideis the brand name
Lariam Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Mefloquine Hydrochloride
Mefloquine
2002
14
Effectiveness
How Lariam Affects PatientsWhen a mosquito carrying malaria parasites bites a human, the parasites enter the bloodstream. These parasites then move to the liver, where they grow and burst open, releasing thousands of merozoites that invade red blood cells. Mefloquine is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria. It works by killing the malaria parasites in the blood.
How Lariam works in the bodyWe don't know exactly how mefloquine works, but some researchers think it targets proteins in the Plasmodium falciparum, a type of malaria. By targeting these proteins, mefloquine is able to stop the malaria from reproducing, killing it in the process. Some research suggests this is true, but more is needed to confirm it.
When to interrupt dosage
The recommended dose of Lariam is contingent upon the determined disorder, such as Chloroquine resistance, Malaria, Falciparum and Malaria. The amount of dosage can be found in the table below, reliant upon the technique of administration.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Malaria, Falciparum
, 250.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Malaria
, 250.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Malaria
, 250.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Chloroquine resistance
, 250.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral
Warnings
Lariam ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of the ingredients
Do Not Combine
Convulsions
Do Not Combine
prophylaxis of Malaria
Do Not Combine
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Mefloquine may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Lariam Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The serum concentration of Abemaciclib can be increased when it is combined with Mefloquine.
Acebutolol
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be decreased when Mefloquine is combined with Acebutolol.
Acepromazine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Mefloquine is combined with Acepromazine.
Aceprometazine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Mefloquine is combined with Aceprometazine.
Acetophenazine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Mefloquine is combined with Acetophenazine.
Lariam Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe highest non-toxic dose of mefloquine in humans is 11mg/kg per two weeks and 880 mg/kg in rats. If someone overdoses on mefloquine, they may experience a worsening of the side effects. Treatment should be provided to help relieve symptoms, and monitor cardiac and neurological functions. There is currently no known antidote for mefloquine overdose.
Lariam Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Lariam?
An active trial is currently underway to evaluate the potential of Lariam to address Malaria, Malaria and Chloroquine-resistant cases.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Malaria
0 Actively Recruiting
Chloroquine resistance
0 Actively Recruiting
Malaria, Falciparum
0 Actively Recruiting
Malaria
0 Actively Recruiting
Lariam Reviews: What are patients saying about Lariam?
5Patient Review
7/7/2010 My wife and I took Larium for two years while we were in Ethiopia with the Peace Corps. We had no problems whatsoever. The Peace Corps said it had only been cleared for six months of usage, but they knew of no problems with longer-term use.
4.3Patient Review
3/16/2020 I've been taking this medication on an as-needed basis since 1989 without any problems. I have not contracted malaria, although I know some of my friends have had issues with it.
3.3Patient Review
3/11/2008 My father-in-law took this before going to Africa and, upon returning, started having psychotic episodes due to the hallucinations caused by the medication. He had no history of mental illness prior to taking this drug. Do not take this under any circumstances!
3Patient Review
3/10/2011 I've gotten migraines since I stopped taking this medication. I'm not sure what the long-term side effects are, but they're definitely something to be aware of.
3Patient Review
2/1/2011 This drug is effective. I'm grateful for modern medicine.
3Patient Review
2/1/2011 This drug is effective. I'm grateful for modern medicine.
3Patient Review
2/1/2011 This drug is effective. I'm grateful for modern medicine.
3Patient Review
2/1/2011 This drug is great. It really helped me out.
2.3Patient Review
5/16/2008 I took this drug in 1996 and, within weeks, I was a wreck. I had panic attacks and convulsions that I believe were caused by the medication. Additionally, I noticed that alcohol tolerance decreased dramatically; even after just a couple drinks, I would feel awful the next day. This is still an issue for me today.
2.3Patient Review
3/15/2009 In 2003, I took this medication and found myself in a deep, dark pit that took me years to crawl out of. In addition to the usual symptoms, tinnitus, anxiety, panics attacks, etc., my emotions disappeared (except terror - that stayed). I guess you cannot imagine what it must be like not having emotions until you experience it. And then pain disappeared. I could injure myself without feeling it.
2Patient Review
1/10/2011 My son took Larium while volunteering in Africa for 2.5 months and came back with a host of problems that have persisted even up to now, over a year later. Nervousness, paranoia, insomnia, headaches, pressure in the head, diarrhea, halos in vision are just some of the issues he's had to deal with. Do not take this medication.
1Patient Review
5/18/2010 Please avoid this drug if you have any history of mental illness in your family. It caused me a great deal of harm, including severe anxiety, depression and paranoia. I was not the same for many years afterwards.
1Patient Review
10/10/2012 Caused severe anxiety and depression to the point of becoming suicidal (of which I previously had no history). Terrible dreams, night sweats, nausea, etc. This drug is psychological poison.
1Patient Review
7/17/2008 My son went to Africa on a church missions trip and had suicidal psychotic episodes until we stopped him from taking any more of this drug. It is truly terrible stuff.
Patient Q&A Section about lariam
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.When was Lariam discontinued?
"The brand name Lariam was discontinued in 2008, but there are still two generic versions available. Three other generic makers of mefloquine have also discontinued the drug."
Answered by AI
Is Lariam still prescribed?
"Mefloquine is still available in the United States under different brand names, even though Lariam is no longer sold. It can be particularly helpful for people who can't take other medications used to prevent malaria, such as doxycycline and atovaquone-proguanil."
Answered by AI
Is Lariam banned?
"In the US, Lariam, which received a “black box” safety warning from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013, was banned from being dispensed to US Special Forces in the same year. It is only used as a drug of last resort in the US military."
Answered by AI
Why has Lariam been banned for use to prevent malaria?
"There is a call for an immediate ban on the anti-malaria drug mefloquine given to British soldiers because of the side-effects of the drug which include severe depression and other mental illnesses."
Answered by AI