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MEFLOQUINE (ME floe kwin) prevents and treats malaria. It works by killing the parasite that causes malaria. It will not treat colds, the flu, or infections caused by bacteria or viruses.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lariam
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Take it with food.
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 care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 6 months for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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.
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Do not take this medication with any of the following:
This medication may also interact with the following:
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
If you are taking this medication for a long time, visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better in a few days.
Tell your care team right away if you have any changes in your eyesight.
If you get a fever during or after you start taking this medication, do not treat yourself. Call your care team immediately.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
While in areas where malaria is common, you should take steps to prevent being bitten by mosquitos. This includes staying in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms to reduce human-mosquito contact, sleeping under mosquito netting, preferably one with pyrethrum-containing insecticide, wearing long-sleeved shirts or blouses and long trousers to protect arms and legs, applying mosquito repellents containing DEET to uncovered areas of skin, and using a pyrethrum-containing flying insect spray to kill mosquitos.
If you are currently taking or have taken this medication in the past 3 weeks, you should not take halofantrine (another medication for malaria). Dangerous heart side effects may occur. Talk to your care team.
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
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Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
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To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.