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Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of mefloquine in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in infants up to 6 months old.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of mefloquine in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart problems, which may require caution in patients receiving mefloquine.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Aurothioglucose
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Isradipine
- Levomethadyl
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acecainide
- Ajmaline
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Aprindine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azimilide
- Bretylium
- Chloral Hydrate
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Clarithromycin
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Droperidol
- Enflurane
- Erythromycin
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Foscarnet
- Gemifloxacin
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Halothane
- Hydroquinidine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Isoflurane
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lidoflazine
- Lorcainide
- Octreotide
- Pentamidine
- Pirmenol
- Prajmaline
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Propafenone
- Propranolol
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Risperidone
- Sematilide
- Sertindole
- Sotalol
- Spiramycin
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Sultopride
- Tedisamil
- Telithromycin
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimethoprim
- Vasopressin
- Zolmitriptan
- Zotepine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Lumefantrine
- Rifampin
- Valproic Acid
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat), severe or
- Depression, history of or
- Heart block, severe or
- Heart disease, severe or
- Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia, prolonged QT interval), history of—Use is not recommended. May make these conditions worse.
- Emotional or mental problems (e.g. depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia) or
- Seizures, history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Liver disease—Use with caution. Effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.
- Malaria, severe or life-threatening—Your doctor may want you to receive an antimalarial injection before taking this medicine.
