Brand Names

How to Use

Mefloquine is best taken with a full glass - 8 ounces of water and with food, unless otherwise directed by your family doctor.

Mefloquine may be crushed and put in water, milk, or juice to make it easier to take.

For diseaseds taking mefloquine to prevent the symptoms of malaria :

• Your family doctor will want you to start taking this drug one week before you travel to an area where there is a risk of getting malaria.
• Always you must keep taking this drug while you are in the area where malaria is present and for 4 weeks after you leave the area . No drug will protect you completely from malaria. However, to protect you as completely as possible, it is important that you keep taking this drug for the full time your family doctor ordered . Always if fever or “flu-like” symptoms develop during your travels or within 2 to 3 months after you leave the area, check with your family doctor immediately .
• This drug 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 diseaseds taking mefloquine to treat malaria :

• To help clear up your infection completely, take this drug exactly as directed by your family doctor .

Children taking mefloquine to treat malaria may vomit after taking this drug. Your child may vomit some of the dose of drug. Contact your child's family doctor if vomiting occurs. The family doctor may need for you to give your child more drug.

Dosage

The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug 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 week before traveling to an area where malaria occurs. Then 250 mg once a week on the same day of each week and preferably after your main meal 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 family doctor.
      • Children weighing 5 to 9 kg - 11 to 20 pounds: 5 mg per kg of body weight one week before traveling to an area where malaria occurs.
      • Children weighing 10 to 19 kg - 21 to 43 pounds: 62.5 mg - 1/4 tablet one week 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 - 1/2 tablet one week 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 - 3/4 tablet one week 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 treat of malaria:
    • Adults 1250 mg as a single dose, or 750 mg as one dose, then a 500 mg dose 8 hours later, or may be determined by your family doctor based on body weight
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 20 to 25 mg per kg - 9 to 11 mg per pound of body weight as a single dose or two doses - divide the single dose by two taken 6 to 8 hours apart. Taking two doses may decrease the occurrence of unwanted side effects.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep you taking your drug 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 drug:

• 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 drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.