Mefloquine : Before Using

Mefloquine - Systemic

Brand Names

Lariam Mefloquine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For mefloquine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to mefloquine, quinidine - Quinidex, quinine, or any related medication. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

It is best if pregnant women can avoid traveling to areas where there is a risk of getting malaria. However, if travel is necessary, mefloquine may be using for women traveling to areas where the parasite is resistant to chloroquine. Pregnant women are advised to report to their family doctor any side effects following the use of mefloquine.

Breast-feeding problem

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. Mefloquine could cause unwanted effects in the breast-fed baby. It may be necessary for you to take another drug or to stop breast-feeding while taking mefloquine. Be sure you have discussed the chance and benefits of the drug with your family doctor.

Use for Children

Children must avoid traveling to areas where there is a risk of getting malaria, unless they can take effective antimalarial medication such as mefloquine. Studies on this drug have not been done in infants below the age of 6 months old.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of mefloquine in the elderly with use in other age groups. However, elderly people may be more sensitive to the adverse effects of mefloquine which may require caution.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family 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:

Anticonvulsants - carbamazepine " Tegretol, Carbatrol ", phenobarbital " Luminal ", phenytoin " Dilantin ", valproic acid " Depakote " Effects of the anticonvulsant - drug to stop or reduce effects of seizures not work as well. Your family doctor may need to change your dose of anticonvulsant drug.

Chloroquine - Aralen Use of chloroquine with mefloquine may increase the risk of convulsions - seizures

Halofantrine - Halfan use of halofantrine together with mefloquine may cause serious heart problems
Quinidine - Quinidex
Quinine Use of these medication together with mefloquine may result in slow heartbeat and other heart problems; also, an increased risk of convulsions - seizures may occur when quinine is taken together with mefloquine

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of mefloquine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Allergy to mefloquine or similar medication such as quinine and quinidine
Psychiatric conditions such as
- Active depression or recent history of depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Other major psychiatric disorders
Convulsions, history of Mefloquine must not be taken if you have any of these conditions.

Depression previous history of Mefloquine must be using with caution.

Epilepsy
Seizure disorder Mefloquine may make these conditions worse.
Heart conditions or
Liver problems Mefloquine must be using with caution.