Mefloquine tablets
Mefloquine tablets
What is this medicine?
MEFLOQUINE (ME floe kwin) is used to treat or prevent malaria infections.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take it with food. If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria, you should start taking it one week before entering the area, and continue for 4 weeks after leaving. Take your doses at regular intervals and on the same day of each week. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. If you are treating an acute malaria infection, you will receive a single dose of the drug. For prolonged travel in an area where malaria is common, consult your healthcare provider for proper dosing schedule.
A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 6 months of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
anxious
blurred vision, or change in vision
confusion
depressed mood
dizziness
fainting spells
fever or chills
hallucination, loss of contact with reality
headaches, confusion, or other mental changes
hearing problems
joint or muscle aches
loss of balance or coordination
paranoid, feelings of mistrust
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
restlessness
ringing in the ears
seizures
skin rash, itching (there may be severe itching without a rash)
trouble sleeping
unusual behavior
unusual changes in heart rate or other heart problems
unusually weak or tired
vomiting
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
drowsiness
hair loss
insomnia
loss of appetite
mild diarrhea
nausea
stomach pain or upset
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole
cisapride
dofetilide
dronedarone
halofantrine
pimozide
quinidine
quinine
thioridazine
ziprasidone
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
chloroquine
certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances
certain medicines for irregular heart beat
certain medicines for seizures like valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
propranolol
typhoid vaccine
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
anxiety or panic attacks
confusion
depression or history of mental problems including anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, paranoia (mistrust towards others), or psychosis
heart disease
liver disease
restlessness
seizures (epilepsy or convulsions)
an unusual or allergic reaction to mefloquine, hydroxymefloquine, quinidine, quinine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better in a few days. If you are taking this medicine for a long time, visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks. If you notice any changes in your vision see your eye doctor for an eye exam.
If you get a fever during or after you start taking this medicine, do not treat yourself. Contact your doctor or health care professional immediately.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
While in areas where malaria is common, you should take steps to prevent being bit by mosquitos. This includes staying in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms to reduce human-mosquito contact, sleep under mosquito netting, preferably one with pyrethrum-containing insecticide, wear long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long trousers to protect arms and legs, apply mosquito repellents containing DEET to uncovered areas of skin, and use a pyrethrum-containing flying insect spray to kill mosquitos.
If you are currently taking or have taken this medicine in the past 3 weeks, you should not take halofantrine (another malarial drug). Dangerous heart side effects may occur. Talk to your health care provider.
Updated:  
July 17, 2018