Mefloquine is an appropriate remedy for malaria prevention, for people who intend to travel to areas where the risk of developing malaria is greatest. In addition, it can also be used to treat malaria caused by certain agents, when combined with another drug, called artesunate.
Mefloquine is available in pharmacies and can only be purchased with the presentation of a prescription.
- Mefloquine is indicated for malaria prevention.
- For people wishing to travel to endemic areas and.
- When associated with artesunate.
- Can also be used to treat malaria caused by certain agents.
O uso da mefloquina para o tratamento da infecção pelo novo coronavírus ainda não é recomendado porque, embora tenha apresentado resultados promissores no tratamento da COVID-19 [1], são necessários mais estudos para comprovar a sua eficácia e segurança.
In addition, in Russia, a potentially effective treatment regimen is still being tested, with the mefloquine associated with other drugs, but still without conclusive results.
Self-medication with mefloquine is not recommended and is dangerous and can have serious health consequences.
This medicine should be taken orally, whole and with a glass of water, during meals. The dose should be determined by the doctor, based on the specific disease, severity and individual response to the medicine. For treatment in the child, the doctor should also adjust the dose to your weight.
For adults, when using mefloquine to prevent malaria, it is recommended to start treatment approximately 2 to 3 weeks before travel. Therefore, one 250 mg tablet should be administered per week, always maintaining this regimen up to 4 weeks after reinstatement.
If it is not possible to start preventive treatment so early, mefloquine may be initiated a week before the trip, however, it is important to know that serious adverse events usually occur until the third dose, with the possibility of appearing already during the trip. . Alternatively, mefloquine can be used at a loading dose of 750 mg in a single dose, then start the diet with 250 mg per week.
Learn how to identify the symptoms of malaria and what to do
Mefloquine acts on the asexual life cycle of the parasite, which occurs in blood cells, forming complexes with the blood heme group, preventing its inactivation by the parasite. The formed complexes and the free heme group are toxic to the parasite.
Mefloquine has no activity against the hepatic forms of the parasite or its sexual forms.
Mefloquine is contraindicated for people with hypersensitivity to the components of the formula, for children under 5 kg or less than 6 months, pregnant women and during lactation.
Some of the side effects that can occur during treatment with mefloquine are dizziness, headache, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
In addition, although rarer, insomnia, hallucinations, coordination changes, mood swings, restlessness, aggression and paranoid reactions can also occur.