Drug Interaction:
Interacting drugs-summary
Mefloquine +
Beta-adrenergic blockers
ECG abnormalities or cardiac arrest occur with concurent mefloquine
Chloroquine-
Risk of convulsons increased with concomittant mefloquine
Quinine/Quinindine-
do not use concurrently with mefloquine. If they are to used for severe
malaria, delay mefloquine administration for 12 hours after last dose of
quinine or quinidine.
ECG abnormalities or cardiac arrest occur.
Valproic acid-
concurrent mefloquine resulted in loss of seizure control and lower than
expected valproic blood levels. Monitor valproic acid blood levels
Indication:
Malaria
Approved by (DCI) Drug Controller GENERAL - India For Marketing
(Ref- IDMA Publication)
Name of Drug Indication Date of Approval
Mefloquine Hcl Anti Malarial 03-03-1997
Adverse Reaction:
Vomiting, dizziness, syncope, extrasystole. Vertigo, visual disturbances, CNS disturbances. Nyalgia. nausea, fever, headache, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, skin rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, tinnitis.
Contra-Indications:
Hypersensitivity to mefloquine
Special precautions:
Monitor liver function tests. Ocular lesions.
Hazardous tasks- caution while performing hazaardous tasks, driving.
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Malaria
Dosage-
Adult- 20-25mg/kg as a single dose or preferably in 2 or 3 divided doses at 6-8 hours interval Prophylaxis of malaria- adult- 250mg taken 1-3 weeks before exposure and continuing for 4 week after leaving the malaria area
Other Information:
For Availability/supplies
Contact -
1.Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA)
Phone- 022- 24944624/ 24974308
Fax- 022- 24950723
Email- idma@vsnl.com
Website: www.idma-assn.org
2.Bulk Drug Manufacturers Association (India)(BDMA)
Phone - 040-23703910/ 23706718
Fax- 040-23704804
Email- info@bdmai.org
Website: www.info@bdmai.org
Patient Information:
Ref - USP PDI Vol II 17th Edition (1997)
1.Allergies-
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to
Mefloquine,quinidine, quinine, or related medicine. Also tell your healthcare
care professional if you are allergic to any other substances such as foods,
preservatives or dyes.
2.Pregnancy-
Mefloquine has not been studied in pregnant women, and its use is not
recommended during pregnancy.
3. Breast-feeding-
Mefloquine passes into breast milk in small amounts.
4.Children-
Studies of mefloquine use in children has shown that medicine causes
side effects in children like those seen in adults eg nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea. Its use is not recommended in infants and children
5.Older adults-
There is no specific information comparing use of mefloquine in the elderly
with use in other age groups
6. Other medicines-
Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following-
Bepridil or
Beta-blokers or
Diltiazem or
Flunarazine
Nicardipine or
Quinidine or
Verapramil - use of these medicines together with mefloquine may result
in slow heart beat and other heart problems - Increased chance of seizures
may occur when quinine is taken with mefloquine
7. Other medical problems-
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems
especially-
Convulsuions or
Eliplepsy or
Heart block or
Psychiatric disorders- mefloquine may make these conditions worse.
Pharmacology/ Pharmacokinetics:
Pharmacology:
Mefloquine is an antimalarial agent which acts as a blood schizoticide. Mechanism of action is not well known. It is astructural analog of quinine.
Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy:
Use during pregnancy only if potential benefits outweigh potential risk to the fetus.
Lactation:
Excercise caution while administering mefloquine to nursing woman.
Children:
Safety and efficacy are not established.
Manufacturer Details