Lariam

GP and surgeon, Dr Shane Charles (MBBS, MRCS, PgDip SEM) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Lariam is a medication used in the prevention and/or treatment of malaria. '.

If you think Lariam is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Lariam is a medicine for the treatment of malaria, a disease caused by parasites. Lariam tablets contain mefloquine as its active ingredient.

Parasites that cause malaria usually enters the body through mosquito bites. The disease is common in areas like Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.

Lariam is also used for the prevention of malaria.

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Lariam patient information leaflet.

Lariam works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body.

The main benefit of using Lariam tablets is the treatment it provides for people sick with malaria. Lariam effectively interferes with the growth of the parasites in the red blood cells of the human body.

Take Lariam as directed by your doctor. It will help if you read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medicine package. If you have any questions on its use, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Lariam is to be taken by mouth. It should be taken with food or milk in order to prevent stomach upset. This medication should not be taken on an empty stomach. Each dose of Lariam should be taken with 8 ounces of water. You may crush a Lariam tablet and put it in a small amount of milk or other beverage if you have trouble swallowing the whole tablet.

The dosage for children is based on their body weight. Children may experience early vomiting when they take this medicine. If your child vomits after taking a Lariam tablet, call your doctor to find out if your child needs another dose of the medicine. If vomiting will persist, ask your doctor to find a different medication for his illness.

When taking Lariam for the prevention of malaria, the usual dose is one tablet in a week’s time. The first dose of Lariam should be taken a week before you travel, or as directed by your doctor.

You should take Lariam as prescribed by your doctor for the full course of treatment. Do not miss any dose and take each dose as scheduled. If you are taking it once weekly, take on the same day each week.

Upon returning from your trip to a malaria-prone area, you should continue taking Lariam for 4 more weeks. Contact your doctor if you are unable to finish the course of treatment.

Taking this medication to prevent malaria does not mean that you are 100% free of the risk of getting it. Inform your doctor right away if you develop a fever. Malaria can easily be cured when the therapy is started early.

Lariam dosage

For malaria prevention:

Take one tablet of Lariam once a week on the same day. Take the first tablet two to three weeks before you travel throughout your stay in a malaria-prone area and for 4 weeks after your return.

The tablets are not recommended for use by children under 3 months of age. For children between the ages of3 months and 5 years, with bodyweight between 5 - 19 kg, the usual dose is ¼ tablet once weekly, on the same day each week. For children between the ages of 6 and 8 years, weighing between 20 and 30 kg, the recommended dose is ½ tablet weekly. For children aged 9 to 14 years, with body weight between 31-45 kg, the recommended dose is ¾ tablet once weekly.

For malaria treatment:

Your doctor will tell you how much Lariam to take, depending on your weight and whether you have been living in a malaria-prone area. Usually, you should not take more 6 tablets in total.

Lariam, as with other medications, may have some unwanted side effects, although not every individual who uses it experiences the possible side effects.

While taking Lariam, stomach upset, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, or muscle pain may occur. If any of these persist or worsen, report to your doctor straight away.

Serious side effects, although rare, may possibly occur. Inform your doctor if you have loss of coordination, vision changes, numbness or tingling of hands or feet, dark urine, persistent nausea or vomiting, and yellowing of the eyes or skin. Get medical help immediately once you experience serious side effects.

Lariam rarely causes an allergic reaction. However, seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as rash, severe dizziness, itching or swelling of the face/tongue/throat, and trouble breathing.

Report to your doctor if you will experience any other side effects that are associated with your use of Lariam.

It is important to let your doctor know if you are allergic to Lariam, or to quinidine or quinine, or if you have other allergies. The inactive ingredients of Lariam may trigger an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity.

Share with your doctor your medical history before you start taking Lariam, especially if you have a history of mental or mood disorders, liver disorder, heart problems, and seizure.

The use of Lariam may result in dizziness or loss of balance. The problems could be exacerbated by alcohol consumption or use of marijuana. Do not perform any task that requires alertness until you are sure that you can perform it safely. It will help if you will cut down your alcohol consumption.

Lariam may have some adverse effects on a developing fetus. Lariam is not recommended for use by pregnant women unless the doctor determines that its use is clearly necessary.

Breastfeeding mothers should not take Lariam because it passes into breast milk and may adversely affect the nursing infant. Discuss with your doctor the benefits and risk of breastfeeding while taking Lariam.

Some medicines must not be taken together with Lariam because of serious drug interactions but some may be taken together after the doctor changes the dose. When taking Lariam, it is necessary that you share with your doctor all the medications you are currently taking. The doctor shall determine the possible interactions and if there is a need to change the dose.

You can safely buy Lariam online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Lariam is the right medication for your medical condition.

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