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Advantages and
Disadvantages
Advantages:
- ~90% effective
in most malaria-infected areas.
- Weekly tablet,
convenient for long-term travel.
Disadvantages:
- Possible side
effects include headache, depression, nausea, vivid dreams, anxiety.
- Possible, but
rare psychosis or seizures (1 in 10,000 users).
- Cannot be used
if past history of epilepsy, depression or anxiety.
- Not recommended
for pilots or scuba divers.
There is increasing
mefloquine resistance in the Thai-Myanmar-China and Thai-Cambodia-Vietnam-Lao
border regions. There are also reports of resistance from the Amazon
region and parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania and Madagascar, making the drug a less effective option.
Side Effects
Possible mild reactions:
- Headache, dizziness
- Visual
disturbances
- Confusion
- Nausea or loss
of appetite
- Skin rash
- Aching muscles
or weakness
- Vivid dreams
Rare, more serious
reactions:
- Depression,
anxiety, confusion
- Psychosis
- Hypotension
- Visual
illusions
- Seizures (fits)
For those travellers
who have not previously taken Lariam, it is advisable to undertake a 2-4
week trial before departure to ensure the medication is tolerated. Most
people will have only minimal or no side effects.
IMPORTANT: As with
all types of anti-malaria medication you should:
- Take the
medication as prescribed.
- Side effects
may be accentuated if alcohol consumed within 2-3 days of taking
Mefloquine - avoid alcohol during this time.
- Take the full
course (continue for 4 weeks after your return).
- Take medication
with or after food; washed down with a full glass of water.
- Take medication
at least 2 hours before lying down.
More information on this and other anti-malaria medication
options is available during your pre-travel consultation with Travelvax.
Call 1300 360 164 for the location of the clinic nearest to you.
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