• Treatment of mild-to-moderate acute malaria caused by susceptible strains of Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax including chloroquine-resistant strains.
• Prevention of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax.

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity (cross sensitivity with quinine and quinidine may occur)
• Should not be used for prophylaxis in patients with a history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, major psychiatric disorder or seizures
• Life-threatening malaria (initial treatment should be with an intravenous drug)
• Concurrent use of ketoconazole (↑ risk of serious cardiovascular adverse reactions)
• Lactation: Lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

• Malaria caused by P. vivax (relapse rates are high, subsequent treatment with and 8–aminoquinoline is required)
• History of suicide attempt or ideation
• History of cardiovascular disease (may ↑ risk of adverse cardiovascular reactions)
• Psychiatric disorders
• Hepatic impairment (may ↑ blood levels and risk of adverse reactions
• Concurrent use of anticonvulsants (effectiveness may be ↓)
• Concurrent use of rifampin (may ↓ blood levels and effectiveness)
• OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk
• Pedi: Children <6 mo (safety and effectiveness not established)
• Geri: May have ↑ risk of adverse cardiovascular reactions.

CV: arrhythmias (including sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, first degree AV block, abnormal T waves), ECG changes, syncope.

Derm: rash.

EENT: tinnitus.

GI: abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting (↑ in children).

Neuro: dizziness, fatigue, neuropsychiatric symptoms, vertigo.

Drug-Drug:

• Concurrent use of ketoconazole or other inhibitors of the CYP3A4 system may ↑ levels and the risk QTc prolongation and serious cardiovascular adverse reactions.
• Concurrent use with quinidine or quinine may ↑ risk of seizures.
• Risk of QTc prolongation may be ↑ by concurrent use of antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, some antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants or phenothiazines.
• May ↓ antibody response to live virus vaccines (vaccinations should be completed 3 days prior to mefloquine.
• Concurrent use of inducers of the CYP3A4 system including rifampin may ↓ blood levels and effectiveness.
• May ↓ levels and effectiveness of anticonvulsants including carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin or valproates.
• Effects of drugs that are substrates of the P-glycoprotein transporter system or inhibitors of the P-glycoprotein transporter system may affect or be affected by mefloquine.

• Tablets: 250 mg;

• PO (Adults): Mild-to-moderate malaria — 1250 mg (5 tablets as a single dose), patients with acute P. vivax should also be subsequently treated with an 8–aminoquinoline; prophylaxis — 250 mg once weekly beginning one wk before arrival in endemic area (sooner if concurrent medications decrease tolerance) and continued for 4 wk after returning.
• PO (Children 20 kg): Mild-to-moderate malaria — 20–25 mg/kg (may be split into two doses 6–8 hr apart, if vomiting occurs, all or part of the dose may be repeated); patients with acute P. vivax should also be subsequently treated with an 8–aminoquinoline; prophylaxis — 5 mg/kg once weekly (for patients >45 kg — use one 250 mg tablet, if 30–45 kg — use 3/4 tablet, if 20–30 kg — use 1/2 tablet) beginning one wk before arrival in endemic area (sooner if concurrent medications decrease tolerance) and continued for 4 wk after returning.

Lariam

• Eradicates the blood schizonticidal stage of malaria.

• Resolution/prevention of malaria.

Therapeutic Classification: antimalarials

Pharmacologic Classification: quinine analogues

Absorption: Well absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Extensive tissue distribution including parasitized erythrocytes; crosses the placenta, minimal excretion in breast milk.

Protein Binding: 98%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Extensively metabolized by the liver (primarily by the CYP3A4 enzyme system), metabolites do not have antimalarial activity. Excreted mostly in bile and feces as metabolites. Small amounts excreted in urine.

Half-life: 2–4 wk.

(blood levels)

• Instruct patient to take medication exactly as directed and continue full course of therapy even if feeling better. Advise patient to read Medication Guide before starting therapy and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
• Malaria Prophylaxis: Review methods of minimizing exposure to mosquitoes with patients receiving mefloquine prophylactically (use repellent, wear long-sleeved shirt and long trousers, use screen or netting).
  • Advise patient to notify health care professional if fever develops while traveling or within 2 mo of leaving an endemic area.
  • Advise patient taking mefloquine for a year of longer to have eye exams, especially if vision changes occur.
• May cause dizziness and loss of balance. Caution patient to avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness and fine motor coordination until response to medication is known.
• Advise patient to tell health care professional what medications they are taking and to avoid taking new Rx, OTC, vitamins, or herbal products without consulting health care professional.
• Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during malaria prophylaxis with mefloquine and for 3 mo after last dose and to avoid breastfeeding during therapy.
• Advise patient to carry a wallet card containing information about mefloquine and potential side effects at all times during therapy.

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