Mefloquine
Administration
- Type: Antimalarial
- Dosage Forms:
- Routes of Administration: Oral
- Common Trade Names:
Adult Dosing
- Malaria (falciparum or vivax) treatment: 750 mg PO, then 500 mg PO 6-12h later OR single dose of 1250mg PO
- Give with primaquine if treating p. vivax or p. ovale
- Malaria (falciparum or vivax) prophylaxis: 250 mg weekly starting 2 weeks prior to travel to endemic area, continue 4 weeks after leaving
Pediatric Dosing
Safety/efficacy not established in patients <6mo, limited experience treating patients <20kg
- Malaria (falciparum or vivax) treatment: 15 mg/kg PO, then 10 mg/kg PO 6-12h after initial dose (max total dose: 1250 mg)
- Give with primaquine if treating p. vivax or p. ovale
- Malaria (falciparum or vivax) prophylaxis:
- <45kg: 5 mg/kg PO weekly (<45kg)
- >45kg: 250 mg PO weekly
- Start 2 weeks prior to travel to endemic area, continue 4 weeks after leaving
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Rating: B
- Lactation risk: Infant risk cannot be ruled out
- Renal dosing:
- Hepatic dosing:
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
- Use for malaria prophylaxis in patients with active or recent history of severe depression, anxiety, or psychotic disorders
- Use for malaria prophylaxis in patients with history of seizures
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- Seizures
- Prolonged QT
- Increased risk of suicide
- Pneumonitis
Common
- Weird dreams
- Dizziness, headache, coordination problems
- Somnolence, insomnia, anxiety
- Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 2-4 weeks
- Metabolism:
- Excretion: Mostly fecal
Mechanism of Action
- Plasmodium schizonticide, acts in erythrocytic stages of plasmodium species