Lariam

Common use

Lariam is a medicine used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites. Lariam works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body. Lariam is also used to prevent malaria.

Dosage and direction

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take Lariam in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take Lariam just after your main meal. Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria: Lariam is usually taken once per week to prevent malaria. Start taking the medicine 1 to 3 weeks before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking the medicine once weekly during your stay and for at least 4 weeks after you leave the area. Take your weekly dose on the same day each week. It is important to use this medication regularly (before, during and after travel) to best prevent malaria.
If you are taking Lariam to treat malaria: Take as directed by your doctor.

Precautions

Some people taking Lariam have had sudden serious psychiatric or nerve problems, some of which lasted long after they stopped taking Lariam. These side effects can be permanent.
You should not take Lariam to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of depression, an anxiety disorder, seizures, mental illness (such as schizophrenia), or psychosis.

Contraindications

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Lariam or similar medications such as quinine or quinidine.
You also should not use Lariam to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of: depression; an anxiety disorder; seizures; or mental illness (such as schizophrenia) or psychosis.
To make sure Lariam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: heart disease; liver disease; epilepsy or other seizure disorder; diabetes; bleeding or blood clotting disorder; a history of mental disease; or if you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).
Mefloquine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Lariam should not be used to treat malaria in a child younger than 6 months without a doctor's advice.

Possible side effect

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 Lariam and call your doctor right away if you any of these side effects: sudden headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, loss of balance, or problems with coordination; severe anxiety, depression; paranoia, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real); confusion, unusual behavior; or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Lariam may cause serious side effects. Stop using Lariam and call your doctor at once if you have: a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; seizure (convulsions); increased blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats; or liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects of Lariam may include: stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea; dizziness; muscle pain; fever, chills; or mild skin rash.

Drug interaction

Do not take halofantrine or ketoconazole while you are taking Lariam and for at least 15 weeks after you stop taking it. Serious, life-threatening side effects on your heart can occur if you take halofantrine before the this medicine has cleared from your body.
Avoid taking chloroquine, quinine, or quinidine while you are taking Lariam.
Many drugs can interact with Lariam. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with this medicine, especially: heart or blood pressure medication; medicine to treat depression or mental illness; seizure medication; tuberculosis medication; or a "live" vaccine such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

Missed dose

Since Lariam is often used as a single dose, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a weekly schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then take the next dose on your next usual dosing day. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. Call your doctor for instructions if you forget to take the medicine within 1 week before your travel.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.