Monograph Details
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Infections & Infestations
> Malaria
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LARIAM |
| Manufacturer |
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Roche Laboratories |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Aminoquinoline. |
| Generic Name |
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Mefloquine (as HCl) 250mg; scored tabs. |
| Indications |
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Prophylaxis of P. falciparum (including chloroquine-resistant strains) and P. vivax malaria. Treatment of mild to moderate acute malaria due to susceptible strains of P. falciparum or P. vivax. |
| Children |
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Give with food and water. May crush tab and mix in water. Prophylaxis: 3–5mg/kg once weekly starting 1 week before departure, continuing during travel to endemic areas and for 4 weeks after return. Treatment: ≤6months of age: contact manufacturer. ≥6months: 20–25mg/kg as single dose or as 2 doses 6–8 hours apart. |
| Adults |
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Take with food and 8oz water. Prophylaxis: 250mg once weekly starting 1 week before departure, continuing during travel to endemic areas and for 4 weeks after return. Treatment: 1250mg as a single dose. |
| Contraindications |
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Quinine, quinidine, or related allergy. Not for prophylactic use in patients with psychiatric disorders or history of depression or seizures. |
| Precautions |
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Do not use for life-threatening P. falciparum infection. After initial treatment for acute P. vivax infection, follow with an 8-aminoquinoline (eg, primaquine) to eliminate exoerythrocytic phase. Discontinue prophylactic therapy if unexplained CNS disturbances occur. Cardiac disease. Psychiatric disturbances. Seizure disorders. Hepatic impairment. Monitor liver, visual function in long-term use. Pregnancy (Cat.C); use adequate contraception. Nursing mothers: not recommended. |
| Interactions |
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Do not use during or within 12 hours of quinine, quinidine, chloroquine (may cause seizures or ECG changes); caution with drugs that cause QTc prolongation (eg, β-blockers). Do not use halofantrine with or following mefloquine. May antagonize antiepileptics. Complete live oral bacterial vaccinations (eg, typhoid) at least 3 days before 1st mefloquine dose. Monitor anticoagulants, antidiabetics, antiepileptics 2–3 weeks before departure. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Vomiting, dizziness, syncope, extrasystoles, myalgias, fever, headache, chills, diarrhea, rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, tinnitus; rare: seizures, cardiac arrest, encephalopathy, CNS/emotional disturbances. |
| How Supplied |
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Tabs—25, 100 |
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