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

See Also

• Malaria

References

Authors

Claire