Mefloquine

Mefloquine is an antiparasitic medicine, used for the treatment of malaria. It works by killing the malaria-causing parasite and stops the infection from spreading.

Mefloquine should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Take it with food to decrease the risk of stomach upset. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.

Some people may have stomach pain, abnormal dreams, chills, depression, and diarrhea, as side effects of this medicine. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. Inform your doctor if you ever had fits (seizures) or any problems with your kidney, heart, or liver.

• Malaria

Malaria
Mefloquine is an antimalarial medicine and is used to treat malaria, a serious or life-threatening illness that is spread by a parasite that enters the human body by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It kills the infection-causing parasite and stops the further spread of the infection. Take it only as prescribed and refrain from taking any other medicines along with this medicine (unless advised by the doctor) as they may affect the absorption of this medicine. Do not use this medicine for treating any other condition without consulting your doctor.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Meflotas

• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal dreams
• Anxiety
• Chills
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Headache
• Atrial arrhythmias (altered heart rate)
• Insomnia (difficulty in sleeping)
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
• Rash
• Ringing in ear
• Vertigo
• Visual impairment
• Vomiting
• Fatigue

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a marked dropper and take it as directed. Mefloquine is to be taken with food.

Mefloquine is an antiparasitic medication which treats malaria. It works by increasing the levels of haeme in the blood, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.

• Mefloquine should be taken with food to prevent a stomach upset.

• Finish the prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.

• Tips to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes:

  • Wear light-colored and covered clothing when you are outside after sunset.
  • Use insect repellent creams or sprays on parts of your body not covered by clothing.
  • Spray to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms in spite of screening.

• It may cause dizziness or sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how it affects you.

• Inform your doctor if you have kidney liver or heart disease.

Vinetz JM, Clain J, Bounkeua V, et al. Chemotherapy of Malaria. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1408-409.

Rosenthal PJ. Antiprotozoal Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 906-907.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 855-57.

Medscape. Mefloquine. [Accessed 30 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Center for Global Health. Mefloquine. [Accessed 30 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Mefloquine. Nutley, New Jersey: Roche Laboratories. [Accessed 30 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: