Mefloquine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Mefloquine?

What is mefloquine for?

Mefloquine is a drug used to treat malaria. This drug works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the body's red blood cells.

Malaria itself is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite from mosquito bites Anopheles infected female. When the mosquito Anopheles an infected person bites a human, the parasite will enter the bloodstream and eventually multiply in the body.

Parasites can reproduce very quickly. If not treated immediately, people infected with parasites can experience organ deformities and even death. It is estimated that this disease can kill more than 600 million people each year.

Therefore, this disease cannot be underestimated. People who live in tropical and subtropical areas that have a fairly hot climate are at high risk of contracting malaria.

How do I use mefloquine?

Take this medication after meals. To make it easier to swallow, take the medicine with a glass of water. If you are still having trouble swallowing it, the medicine can be crushed or crushed and then dissolved in a little milk, water, or other drink.

Do not give this medicine to other people even if they have the same symptoms as you. The dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. Therefore, the dosage for each person may be different. For children, dosage is based on their body weight.

Make sure you use the medication regularly for the best benefits. In order not to miss a dose, use the medicine at the same time every day. It is better not to start or stop medication without first consulting a doctor. You are also not advised to increase your dose or take the medication more frequently than recommended by the product packaging or your doctor.

Ask your doctor when is the best time to take this drug. Especially when you have to take several types of drugs at once or you are going to travel far to a place where malaria is endemic. This is done to prevent dangerous side effects.

In addition, if you experience vomiting after taking this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor can change the dose or change the medication that is safer and more effective for you.

Basically, take any type of medicine according to a doctor's prescription or that is stated on the drug packaging label. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist directly if you don't really understand how to use it.

How do I store mefloquine?

This medication is best stored at room temperature. Keep away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Mefloquine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for mefloquine for adults?

The dose in the treatment of malaria is 5 tablets (1250 mg) taken as a single dose. In the case of malaria prophylaxis, the dose is 250 mg taken once a week.

Be sure to always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any type of medication. This is solely to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

What is the dosage of mefloquine for children?

The dosage for children is adjusted to the child's body weight.

• 16 to 25 kg: 125 mg (1/2 tablet) taken by mouth once a week
• 25 to 45 kg: 187.5 mg (3/4 tablet) taken once a week
• Over 45 kg: 250 mg (1 tablet) taken by mouth once a week

This drug can be dangerous for children if used improperly. Therefore, consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is mefloquine available?

This drug is available in tablet form with a strength of 250 mg.

Mefloquine side effects

What are the side effects of the drug mefloquine?

These drugs can cause side effects from mild to severe. A number of side effects that are often complained of after using this drug include:

• Stomach ache
• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Sleepy
• Feelings of restlessness
• Muscle ache
• Fever
• Limp body
• Itching and redness of the skin

Very serious allergic reactions to the use of this drug are reported to be rare. However, if at any time you or those around you experience it, seek medical help immediately. Some of the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction that need to be aware of include:

• Hives
• Itching on the body
• Chest tightness
• It's hard to breath
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Mefloquine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using mefloquine?

There are several things you need to do before using the drug mefloquine, including:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to mefloquine, quinidine (Quinidex), quinine (Qualaquin), and other drugs. Ask your doctor about the list of constituents in this drug.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you are currently taking or will regularly take. Whether it's prescription, non-prescription drugs, or natural remedies made from herbs.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have a history of depression, anxiety disorders, seizures, and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant. or breastfeeding a baby. You are advised to postpone pregnancy while taking mefloquine and for 3 months after stopping using it.

Another thing you need to know

Mefloquine is one of the drugs that can cause lightheadedness when you wake up too quickly from lying or sitting. This usually happens when you first drink it.

To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly. Place your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

This medicine can also make you drowsy. In order to prevent unwanted things, you should not drive a car or operate machinery until the effect of the drug is completely gone.

Although it can reduce the risk of malaria, this drug does not guarantee 100 percent that you will not be infected with the disease. Protect yourself by wearing clothes and trousers when traveling to areas where malaria is endemic. Don't forget, use a mosquito repellent so that you are completely protected from the bites of mosquitoes infected with parasites that cause malaria.

The most typical symptoms of malaria are fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches. Ideally, the symptoms of malaria will subside within 48 hours to 72 hours after you take this drug. That is why, immediately see a doctor if symptoms do not improve within 48 hours to 72 hours.

You should also stop taking your medication and seek medical attention immediately if you experience serious side effects such as severe headaches, ringing in the ears, lightheadedness, loss of balance, and unusual feelings of restlessness. In essence, don't hesitate to check with your doctor every time you feel something strange or unusual about your own body.

In addition, be sure to follow all doctor's advice and / or therapist's instructions. Your doctor may need to change your medication dose or monitor you carefully to prevent certain side effects.

Is mefloquine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Mefloquine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with mefloquine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Medicines that have the potential to trigger negative interactions with this drug include:

• Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as walfarin
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Amontilactyl, Pamelor), protr)
• Antihistamines
• Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Nimotop), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
• Beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); chloroquine (Aralen)
• Medicine for diabetes
• Medicines for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depakene)
• Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifamate, Rifater).
• "Live" vaccines, such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

There may be many other types of drugs that have not been mentioned. Don't forget to check the labels on all prescription and over-the-counter medicines / herbal products as the medicines you are about to take may have a negative reaction with mefloquine.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to use this drug safely.

Can food or alcohol interact with mefloquine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or around meals at certain foods or foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with mefloquine?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood or bone marrow problems (eg, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia)
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Heart disease
• Heart rhythm problems (eg, arrhythmias, prolonged QT interval
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Mental illness (such as schizophrenia and psychosis)
• Seizures
• Epilepsy: Impaired liver and kidney function

Mefloquine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Bring a medicine box, container, or label with you when you go to the hospital to help the doctor with any necessary information.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

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 continue on your dosing schedule. Do not use extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you continue to miss doses, consider setting an alarm or asking a family member to remind you.

Please consult with your doctor to discuss changes in your dosing schedule or a new schedule to make up for a missed dose, if you have missed too many doses recently.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.