Trade Names:Mefloquine HCl- Tablets 250 mg
Trade Names:Lariam- Tablets 250 mg
Apo-Mefloquine (Canada)Antimalarial agent that acts as a blood schizonticide. Mechanism of action is unknown.
Mefloquine Vd is approximately 20 L/kg and the protein binding is 98%.
At least 1 metabolite has been identified.
Metabolism of mefloquine is primarily hepatic. The total Cl is 30 mL/min and the t ½ is 13 to 24 days (mean, approximately 3 wk).
Treatment of mild to moderate malaria caused by mefloquine-susceptible strains of Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax . Prevention of malaria caused by P. falciparum or P. vivax . Patients with acute P. vivax need subsequent treatment with 8-aminoquinolone to prevent relapse.
Acute depression; history of psychosis or convulsions; hypersensitivity to the drug or related compounds (eg, quinine, quinidine).
PO 5 tablets (1,250 mg) as a single dose with food and at least 240 mL of water.
ChildrenPO 20 to 25 mg/kg as a single dose or split into 2 doses 6 to 8 h apart with food and at least 240 mL of water.
Prevention of MalariaAdultsPO 250 mg once weekly starting 1 wk before exposure and continuing 4 wk after with food and at least 240 mL of water.
ChildrenPO 3 to 5 mg/kg once weekly starting with 1 wk before exposure and continuing 4 wk after. Take with food and at least 240 mL of water.
Weight up to 19 kgPO ¼ tablet.
Weight 20 to 30 kgPO ½ tablet.
Weight 31 to 45 kgPO ¾ tablet.
Weight more than 45 kgPO 1 tablet.
Store tablets at controlled room temperature (59° to 86°F).
Reduced seizure control.
Drugs known to alter cardiac conduction (eg, antiarrhythmic, beta-adrenergic blockers, calcium channel blockers, antihistamines, H 2 blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines)Potential for QTc interval prolongation.
HalofantrineConcurrent use can cause potentially fatal QTc interval prolongation.
Related compounds (eg, quinine, quinidine, chloroquine)Increased risk of seizures and ECG abnormalities.
Typhoid vaccines, liveReduced effectiveness.
Hematocrit, decrease; leukocytosis (during prophylactic treatment); leukopenia; thrombocytopenia; transaminase, transient increase.
Dizziness; headache; somnolence.
Nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; loss of appetite.
Myalgia; fever; chills; rash; fatigue; tinnitus.
Category C .
Eliminated in breast milk.
Safety and efficacy in children younger than 6 mo of age not established.
Impaired elimination of mefloquine.
Use caution in patients with acute depression or history of psychosis or convulsions.
Risk of ECG alterations, sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, first degree AV block, prolonged QTc interval, and abnormal T waves.
Increased risk of seizures.
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health.