Mefloquine-oral

This medication is used to treat and prevent malaria.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking mefloquine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Carry the information wallet card with you at all times.Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. Take it with food or milk to prevent stomach upset. Do not take the medication on an empty stomach. Take each dose of this medication with a full glass (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) of water. If you have trouble swallowing the medication, the tablet may be crushed and placed in a small amount of water, milk, or other beverage.For children, the dosage is based on their weight. Early vomiting may occur in children after taking mefloquine. If vomiting occurs in your child after taking this medication, call the doctor right away to see if your child needs to take another dose of the medication. If vomiting continues, check with your doctor for a different medication to use in place of mefloquine.When using this medication to prevent malaria, it is usually taken once a week. The first dose of this medication should be taken one week before travel, or as directed by your doctor.Take this medication as prescribed for the full course of treatment. It is important that you do not miss any doses and that you take the drug on a regularly scheduled basis. Remember to take it on the same day each week.Upon returning from the malaria area, you should keep taking this medication for 4 more weeks. If you are unable to finish this course of mefloquine, contact your doctor.If this medication is being used for prevention of malaria, it is important to understand that it is still possible to contract the disease. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a fever. Malaria is best treated if therapy is started early.

Do not share this medication with others.It is important to wear protective clothing, insect repellent, and use bednets when trying to prevent malaria.If you are taking this medication for a long time, laboratory and/or medical tests (such as eye exams, liver function) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Reviewed on 4/16/2014 References

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: artemether-lumefantrine, beta-blockers (such as atenolol, propranolol), chloroquine, halofantrine, ketoconazole, quinidine, quinine, drugs for seizures (such as phenytoin, valproic acid), ziprasidone.

Do not take halofantrine or ketoconazole for 15 weeks after your last dose of mefloquine.

Other medications can affect the removal of mefloquine from your body, which may affect how mefloquine works. Examples include rifamycins (such as rifabutin), azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), among others.