Mefloquine (Larium)

Category:

  • Antimalarial

Description:

  • Quinine structural analog

Indications:

  • P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria acute treatment

  • P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria prophylaxis

  • Chloroquine-resistant malaria prophylaxis

Contraindications:

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category C

  • Do not take on an empty stomach.

  • Drink at minimum of 240mL (8 ounces) of water with each dose.

  • Patients administered mefloquine for acute malaria attack have high relapse rate, therefore also dose with primaquine.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • Vomiting (3%)

  • Dizziness, syncope, hallucinations, visual changes

Dosage:

  • Administered orally

  • Acute attack:

    • 5 tablets (1250mg) as a single, one time dose

  • Prophylaxis:

    • Initiate therapy one week prior to arriving in area, during stay in area and four weeks after leaving area

    • Adult: 250mg every week for 4 weeks, then 250mg every other week thereafter.

    • Children (dosing by weight):

      • 16-19kg: 62.5mg (¼ tablet)

      • 20-30kg: 125mg (½ tablet)

      • 31-45kg: 187.5mg (¾ tablet)

      • >45kg: 250mg

 

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300 

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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