Lariam (Mefloquine)
Lariam is a class of anti-malarial treatment which contains mefloquine. When taking correctly Lariam is a higly effective malaria prevention medication.
Consult your doctor 6 weeks before you travel to a tropical or sub-tropical malaria zone to discuss malaria prevention medications and any other vaccines or medicines you may need for your trip.
Order your Lariam online from Prima-Med
Dosage Information
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| Quantity | Price | Euro | Order | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 x 250mg | £25.56 | €31.65 | Order | |
| Click on the table above to order | ||||
The quantity shown below is sufficient for 14 days. change
Lariam for malaria protection
Lariam contains mefloquine which is an anti malarial medication. Lariam's action prevents plasmodium parasites from multiplying and spreading in the body after infection with Malaria. Once in the red blood cells plasmodium ingests haemoglobin found in the red blood cells. The haem compound is actually toxic to plasmodium and to combat this it must produce a chemical to make haem innocuous. Lariam stops the plasmodium from doing this killing the malaria parasite.
How to take Lariam for malaria prevention
Lariam should be started at least one week but preferably two to three weeks before travel to the malarious region.
Take:
- Once weekly, 1-3 weeks before you go
- Once weekly, on the same day each week, whilst you are away
- Once weekly, on the same day each week, for four weeks after leaving the risk area
Take one whole tablet, with plenty of water after eating.
You need to continue taking Mefloquine for four weeks after you have left the malaria zone. This allows the medicine to continue working against any parasites released from the liver in the bloodstream,
Lariam side effects
Some people experience side effects when taking Lariam, however most are slight or moderate. The risks associated with catching Malaria far outweigh the side effects of taking the Lariam.
These are the most commonly reported side effects, though many people take Lariam with no side effects at all:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Tummy upset, vomiting and diarrhea
- Sleep disturbances
- Visual disturbances
- Pins and needles
- The shakes
- Heart palpitations
- Blood pressure changes
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Chest pain
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch
If you experience more serious psychological side effects like: mood swings, anxiety, depression or hallucinations stop taking the medication and seek medical assistance. Serious side effects normally surface a few days after starting treatment, so consult your doctor for an alternative anti-malaria treatment. If you start taking Lariam 2-3 weeks before you plan to leave, you should have plenty of time change to a new regime if necessary.
For the full list of reported side effects, please consult the medicine’s leaflet. If you experience a side effect which is not listed on the manufacturer’s leaflet contact your prescribing doctor or a pharmacist for advice.
Lariam precautions
If you are pregnant and absolutely must travel or are planning a pregnancy you need to speak to your doctor for advice on anti-malaria treatments. Lariam is not recommended for use in pregnant women. If you are taking the contraceptive pill consult your doctor on what extra precautions you should take to avoid pregnancy. Lariam has not been tested for safety on pregnant women, so its effects are unknown.
If you are currently taking prescription or non-prescription medications your doctor will advise you on which treatments against malaria are safe for you to take.
If you have kidney impairment you should also ask your doctor about suitable malaria treatments
You need to complete your course of treatments correctly to benefit from the full effectiveness of Lariam. Start by taking the first tablet 2-3 weeks before you enter the malarial area. During your stay take one tablet every week on the same day each week and then continue to take Lariam for four weeks after you leave the malaria area.
It is best to take Lariam after you have had something to eat.
Ask your doctor for instructions on what to do if you are sick or have diarrhea whilst taking anti-malaria medications. You should contact your doctor for more medications when you come back, so you are still able to complete the entire course. To have the fullest possible protection against malaria, it is very important you correctly complete your course of treatments. Try not to forget your tablets and refer to the medicine’s information leaflet if you miss a dose.
Even if you take anti-malaria tablets there is a very small chance you can still catch malaria. If you show symptoms of malaria within three months to a year of coming back from a malaria prone area get medical help as soon as possible. If you have intermittent flu like symptoms within a year travel consult your doctor as you may be displaying symptoms of malaria.