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Lariam

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Lariam Drug Center

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

Lariam (mefloquine hydrochloride) is used to treat or prevent malaria. It is an antimalarial agent. This medication is available in generic form. Common side effects include stomach upset, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, hair loss, ringing in the ears, dizziness, "feeling of spinning", loss of balance, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, strange dreams, or lightheadedness.

For treatment of mild to moderate malaria in adults, five tablets (1250 mg) of Lariam are given as a single oral dose. To prevent malaria, prophylaxis should begin 1 week before arrival in an endemic area, and then one 250 mg Lariam tablet once weekly. Pediatric dose is determined by the child's weight. Lariam may interact with blood thinners, ketoconazole, rifabutin, rifampin, tetracycline, or metoclopramide. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Lariam should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Our Lariam (mefloquine hydrochloride) Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information as well as related drugs, user reviews, supplements, and diseases and conditions articles.

What is Prescribing information?

The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.

Lariam Prescribing Information: Indications & Dosage

LARIAM® (mefloquine hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

Treatment of Acute Malaria Infections

Lariam (mefloquine) is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate acute malaria caused by mefloquine-susceptible strains of P. falciparum (both chloroquine-susceptible and resistant strains) or by Plasmodium vivax. There are insufficient clinical data to document the effect of mefloquine in malaria caused by P. ovale or P. malariae.

Note: Patients with acute P. vivax malaria, treated with Lariam (mefloquine) , are at high risk of relapse because Lariam (mefloquine) does not elimi...

Read the complete drug monograph for Lariam »

What is Lariam Prescribing Information?

Drug Description - Indications & Dosage - Side Effects & Drug Interactions - Warnings & Precautions - Contraindications - Medication Guide and More

What is Patient information?

Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.

Lariam Patient Information: Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking mefloquine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • depressed mood, feeling restless or anxious;
  • confusion, extreme fear, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
  • severe or uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea;
  • fever;
  • cough, wheezing, feeling short of breath;
  • nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark ur...

Read the complete patient information for Lariam »

What is Lariam Patient Information?

Possible Side Effects - Images - What Is - How Should I Take It - What If I Miss a Dose - What Should I Avoid and More

What is Consumer information?

A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.

Lariam Consumer Information: Uses

This medication is used to treat and prevent malaria.

HOW TO USE: Obtain a Medication Guide that must be provided by your pharmacist. Read the Medication Guide before you first start taking mefloquine and each time you obtain a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Carry the information wallet card with you at all times.

Take by mouth, usually once a week, with food or milk to prevent stomach upset; or as directed by your doctor. Also take with a full glass (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) of wat...

Read the complete consumer information for Lariam »

What is Lariam Consumer Information?

Warnings - Uses - How to Use - Side Effects - Precautions - Drug Interactions and More

Related Resources for Lariam

Related Health

© Lariam Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Lariam Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.

Additional Lariam Information

Lariam - User Reviews

Lariam User Reviews

Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.

Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Lariam sorted by most helpful. Patient Discussions FAQs

See User Reviews

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