LARIAM (Mefloquine)

Lariam Information

Lariam is a drug, which contains the active ingredient called mefloquine. Lariam belongs to a group of medicine called quinolones. Lariam is administered for the treatment and prevention of malaria. Lariam works by killing the parasites that may cause or have caused malaria.

Lariam Indications

Lariam is indicated for treatment and prevention of malaria, particularly caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite resistant to other anti-malarial medicines. Lariam may also be used as a stand-by treatment and taken for suspected malaria when proper medical attention is not available within 24 hours or more.

Lariam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Lariam Warnings

Do not take Lariam if you have known allergies to Lariam or any of its inactive ingredients.

Do not take Lariam as a preventive medicine if you are depressed, or have a history of abnormal thoughts or convulsions.

Before taking Lariam tell your doctor if you have had any other health problems especially associated with the following:

• epilepsy
• liver disease
• malaria

Lariam Intake Guidelines

Do not stop taking Lariam suddenly if you feel better. Doing such may cause your condition to worsen.

Take each dose of Lariam tablet with a full glass of water.

The tablets may be crushed or suspended in small amount of water, milk or other fluid in administering to children or elders unable to swallow the tablet whole.

Take Lariam after every meal if taken as prevention for malaria.

Lariam Dosage

Take Lariam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand any of these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

For prevention of malaria:

For people weighing 45 kg one Lariam tablet is administered once a week. People weighing less than 45 kg may need to reduce their weekly dose. Take the first tablet one week before you arrive in the malarial area. Continue taking one Lariam tablet each week while you are in the malarial area and each week for 4 weeks after you have left the malarial area.

For treatment of malaria:

The usual dose for people weighing 45 kg to 60 kg is five Lariam tablets. Three tablets should be taken initially and the remaining 2 may be taken 6 to 8 hours later.

For people weighing more than 60 kg the usual dosage is 6 Lariam tablets. Three tablets should be taken initially and the other two may be taken 6 to 8 hours later and the remaining 1 tablet may be taken 8 hours after that.

Lariam Overdose

Immediately call the Poison Control Center for advice or go to the nearest emergency and accident centre if you think that you or anyone else has taken too much Lariam.

Lariam Missed Dose

Take the missed dose of Lariam as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose if it is almost time for the next dose of Lariam. A double dose of Lariam must not be taken.

Lariam Side Effects

Lariam and other medicines may affect individual people in a different manner. The following are the side effects known to be associated with Lariam.

Stop taking Lariam and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if symptoms of a Lariam side effect occur.

Symptoms of a Lariam side effect include the following:

• stomach upset
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• pain in the stomach
• dizziness
• sense of spinning
• loss of balance
• headache
• drowsiness
• sleepiness
• inability to sleep
• abnormal dreams
• seizure
• change in mood
• depression
• restlessness
• confusion
• feeling anxious or nervous
• hallucinations
• suicidal thoughts
• panic attacks
• irregular or racing heart beat
• chest pain
• light-headedness
• loss of consciousness
• visual disturbances
• tremor
• difficulty breathing
• tingling in fingers and toes
• severe skin reactions

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially disturbing.

Lariam Drug Reactions

Other medicines taken together with Lariam may affect the way Lariam works. Therefore, tell your doctor about any medicines that you are taking before taking Lariam or any other medicines.

Before taking Lariam, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• halofantrine
• chloroquine
• quinine
• quinidine
• valproic acid
• carbamazepine
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin
• 'live' vaccines

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Buy Lariam

Buy Lariam through our Online Pharmacy Escrow Service or at any Canada Pharmacy selling Online Prescriptions where Lariam is sold.