Treatment of malaria
▶BY MOUTH
▶Adult: (consult product literature)
Prophylaxis of malaria
▶BY MOUTH
▶Child (body-weight 5–15 kg): 62.5 mg once weekly, dose
to be started 2–3 weeks before entering endemic area
and continued for 4 weeks after leaving
▶Child (body-weight 16–24 kg): 125 mg once weekly, dose
to be started 2–3 weeks before entering endemic area
and continued for 4 weeks after leaving
▶Child (body-weight 25–44 kg): 187.5 mg once weekly,
dose to be started 2–3 weeks before entering endemic
area and continued for 4 weeks after leaving
▶Child (body-weight 45 kg and above): 250 mg once
weekly, dose to be started 2–3 weeks before entering
endemic area and continued for 4 weeks after leaving
▶Adult (body-weight 45 kg and above): 250 mg once
weekly, dose to be started 2–3 weeks before entering
endemic area and continued for 4 weeks after leaving
l UNLICENSED USE Mefloquine doses in BNF Publications
may differ from those in product literature.
▶In children Not licensed for use in children under 5 kg
body-weight and under 3 months.
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Avoid for prophylaxis if history of
psychiatric disorders (including depression) or convulsions
. avoid for standby treatment if history of convulsions.
history of blackwater fever
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Cardiac conduction disorders. epilepsy (avoid
for prophylaxis). not recommended in infants under
3 months (5 kg). traumatic brain injury
CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION
▶Neuropsychiatric reactions Mefloquine is associated with
potentially serious neuropsychiatric reactions. Abnormal
dreams, insomnia, anxiety, and depression occur
commonly. Psychosis, suicidal ideation, and suicide have
Infection
also been reported. Psychiatric symptoms such as
insomnia, nightmares, acute anxiety, depression,
restlessness, or confusion should be regarded as
potentially prodromal for a more serious event. Adverse
reactions may occur and persist up to several months after
discontinuation because mefloquine has a long half-life.
For a prescribing checklist, and further information on
side-effects, particularly neuropsychiatric side-effects,
which may be associated with the use of mefloquine for
malaria prophylaxis, see the Guide for Healthcare
Professionals provided by the manufacturer.
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Contra-indicated in
patients with hypersensitivity to quinine.
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NHS restrictions Drugs for malaria prophylaxis are not
prescribable in NHS primary care; health authorities may
Infection
investigate circumstances under which antimalarials are
prescribed.
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