Lariam

Generic name:mefloquine [ MEF-loe-kwin ]
Drug class:Antimalarial quinolines

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 2, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Lariam?

Lariam is a medicine used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites. Lariam works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body.

Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.

Lariam is also used to prevent malaria.

Lariam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Some people taking Lariam have had sudden serious psychiatric or nerve problems, some of which lasted long after they stopped taking this medicine. These side effects can be permanent.

Stop taking Lariam and call your doctor right away if have any of these side effects: headache, ringing in your ears, dizziness, loss of balance, problems with coordination, anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, or thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

You should not take Lariam to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of depression, an anxiety disorder, seizures, mental illness (such as schizophrenia), or psychosis.

Before taking this medicine

Some people taking Lariam have had sudden serious psychiatric or nerve problems. Some of these effects have lasted for months to years after this medicine treatment ended, and these side effects can be permanent. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about taking this medicine.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Lariam or similar medications such as quinine or quinidine.

You also should not use Lariam to prevent malaria if you have a recent history of:

• depression;

• an anxiety disorder;

• seizures; or

• mental illness (such as schizophrenia) or psychosis.

However, your doctor may prescribe Lariam to treat malaria even if you do have any of the conditions listed abo...