| Before
Using Mefloquine
In
deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must
be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and
your doctor will make. For mefloquine, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell
your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction
to mefloquine, quinidine (e.g., Quinidex), quinine, or any related
medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic
to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—It
is best if pregnant women can avoid traveling to areas where there
is a chance of getting malaria. However, if travel is necessary,
mefloquine may be used for women traveling to areas where the parasite
is resistant to chloroquine. Pregnant women are advised to report
to their doctor any side effects following the use of mefloquine.
Breast-feeding—Mefloquine
passes into the breast milk in small amounts. However, the amount
in breast milk is not enough to prevent the infant from getting
malaria.
Children—Children
should avoid traveling to areas where there is a chance of getting
malaria, unless they can take effective antimalarial medicines such
as mefloquine.
Older
adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically
in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work
exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause
different side effects or problems in older people. There is no
specific information comparing use of mefloquine in the elderly
with use in other age groups.
Other
medicines—Although certain medicines should not be
used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may
be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases,
your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may
be necessary. When you are taking mefloquine, it is especially important
that your health care professional know if you are taking any of
the following:
Halofantrine
(e.g., Halfan)
Quinidine (e.g., Quinidex) or
Quinine or
Verapamil (e.g., Calan)—Use of these medicines together with
mefloquine may result in slow heartbeat and other heart problems;
also, an increased chance of convulsions (seizures) may occur when
quinine is taken together with mefloquine
Chloroquine (e.g., Aralen)—Use of chloroquine with mefloquine
may increase the chance of convulsions (seizures)
Divalproex (e.g., Depakote) or
Valproic acid (e.g., Depakene)—Use of these medicines together
with mefloquine may result in low blood levels of valproic acid
and an increased chance of convulsions (seizures)
Other
medical problems—The presence of other medical problems
may affect the use of mefloquine. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Convulsions (seizures), history of or
Epilepsy or
Heart block or
Heart rhythm disturbance or
Psychiatric (mental) disorders, history of—Mefloquine may
make these conditions worse
Mefloquine
: Full Prescribing Information
| Mefloquine's
Price List |
| |
| |
Brand Name |
Generic Name |
Strength |
Manufacturer |
Quantity |
US$ |
|
|
|
Lariam (generic ) Mequin==unavailable== |
Mefloquine |
250 mg tab |
Atlantic Lab |
100 tabs |
190.00 |
|
Lariam (brand) Mephaquin==unavailable== |
Mefloquine |
250 mg tab |
Mepha (Switzerland) |
20 tabs |
85.00 |
|
|
Lariam (brand) Mephaquin==unavailable== |
Mefloquine |
250 mg tab |
Mepha (Switzerland) |
100 tabs |
230.00 |
|
Proper Use of Mefloquine
Mefloquine is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water and
with food, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
For
patients taking mefloquine to prevent the symptoms of malaria:
Your
doctor will want you to start taking this medicine 1 to 2 weeks
before you travel to an area where there is a chance of getting
malaria. This will help you to see how you react to the medicine.
Also, it will allow time for your doctor to prescribe another medicine
for you if you have a reaction to this medicine.
Also, you should keep taking this medicine while you are in the
area where malaria is present and for 4 weeks after you leave the
area. No medicine will protect you completely from malaria. However,
to protect you as completely as possible, it is important that you
keep taking this medicine for the full time your doctor ordered.
Also, if fever or “flu-like” symptoms develop during
your travels or within 2 to 3 months after you leave the area, check
with your doctor immediately.
This medicine works best when you take it on a regular schedule.
For example, if you are to take it once a week, it is best to take
it on the same day each week. Do not miss any doses. If you have
any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
For patients taking mefloquine to treat malaria:
To
help clear up your infection completely, take this medicine exactly
as directed by your doctor.
Dosing—
The
dose of mefloquine will be different for different patients. Follow
your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following
information includes only the average doses of mefloquine. If your
dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you
to do so.
The
number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses,
and the length of time you take the medicine depend on whether you
are using mefloquine to prevent or to treat malaria.
For
oral dosage form (tablets):
For prevention of malaria:
--Adults and children weighing over 45 kilograms (kg) (99 pounds)—250
milligrams (mg) (1 tablet) one to two weeks before traveling to
an area where malaria occurs. Then 250 mg once a week while staying
in the area and every week for four weeks after leaving the area.
--Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined
by your doctor.
--Children weighing up to 15 kg (33 pounds): 5 mg per kg of body
weight one to two weeks before traveling to an area where malaria
occurs.
--Children weighing 15 to 19 kg (33 to 43 pounds): 62.5 mg (¼
tablet) one to two weeks before traveling to an area where malaria
occurs. Then 62.5 mg once a week while staying in the area where
malaria occurs and every week for four weeks after leaving the area.
--Children weighing 20 to 30 kg (44 to 66 pounds): 125 mg (½
tablet) one to two weeks before traveling to an area where malaria
occurs. Then 125 mg once a week while staying in the area and every
week for four weeks after leaving the area.
--Children weighing 31 to 45 kg (67 to 99 pounds): 187.5 mg (¾
tablet) one to two weeks before traveling to an area where malaria
occurs. Then 187.5 mg once a week while staying in the area and
every week for four weeks after leaving the area.
For treatment of malaria:
--Adults—1250 mg as a single dose.
--Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined
by your doctor. The usual dose is 16.5 mg per kg (7.5 mg per pound)
of body weight as a single dose.
Missed dose—
If
you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This
will help to keep you taking your medicine on a regular schedule.
However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double
doses.
Storage—
To
store this medicine:
Keep
out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other
damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure
that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using Mefloquine
Mefloquine may cause vision problems. It may also cause some people
to become dizzy or lightheaded or to have hallucinations (seeing,
hearing, or feeling things that are not there). Make sure you know
how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or
do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are
not alert or able to see well. This is especially important for
people whose jobs require fine coordination. If these reactions
are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
Malaria
is spread by the bite of certain kinds of infected female mosquitoes.
If you are living in, or will be traveling to, an area where there
is a chance of getting malaria, the following mosquito-control measures
will help to prevent infection:
If
possible, sleep under mosquito netting, preferably netting coated
or soaked with pyrethrum, to avoid being bitten by malaria-carrying
mosquitoes.
Remain in air-conditioned rooms to reduce contact with mosquitoes
Wear long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long trousers to protect
your arms and legs, especially from dusk through dawn when mosquitoes
are out.
Apply mosquito repellant, preferably one containing DEET, to uncovered
areas of the skin from dusk through dawn when mosquitoes are out.
Using a pyrethrum-containing flying insect spray to kill mosquitoes
in living and sleeping quarters during evening and nighttime hours.
If you are taking quinidine (e.g., Quinidex) or quinine, talk to
your doctor before you take mefloquine. While you are taking mefloquine,
take mefloquine at least 12 hours after the last dose of quinidine
or quinine . Taking mefloquine and either of these medicines at
the same time may result in a greater chance of serious side effects.
For
patients taking mefloquine to treat malaria:
If
your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become
worse, check with your doctor.
What
side effects can Mefloquine cause?
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they
do occur they may need medical attention.
Check
with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects
occur:
Less
common
Abnormal dreams; dizziness; forgetfulness; severe or continuing
headache; mental depression; mood or mental changes; trouble in
sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Aching joints and muscles; anxiety; black, tarry stools; blistering,
loosening, peeling, or redness of the skin; chills, fever, and/or
sore throat; confusion; convulsions (seizures); cough or hoarseness;
depression; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that
are not there); irregular heartbeat; irritability; lower back or
side pain; painful or difficult urination ; pinpoint red spots on
skin; psychotic symptoms, such as mood or mental changes, mental
depression, and/or restlessness; red or irritated eye; shortness
of breath and/or wheezing; sores, ulcers, and/or white spots in
mouth or on lips; stiff neck; swelling of ankles, feet, and/or lower
legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; vomiting
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention.
These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts
to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following
side effects continue or are bothersome:
More
common
Diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain
Less
common
Loss of appetite
Mefloquine very rarely may cause partial loss of hair. After treatment
with mefloquine has ended, normal hair growth should return.
Other
side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If
you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Mefloquine
: Full Prescribing Information |
