Mefloquine

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Antimalarial		Adult, Children

Mefloquine - What is it for

Mefloquine is a medication used to prevent malaria.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite (Plasmodium species), which can spread to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

Mefloquine - Additional Information

To prevent malaria, you may protect yourself against mosquito bites by

Wearing long-sleeved clothing and long trousers between sunset and sunrise.
Applying insect repellent containing more than 20% DEET (N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) for adults or 10% and less DEET for children on exposed skin. DEET is a common active ingredient in mosquito repellents.
Using mosquito coils in the room at night.
Sleep with mosquito nets around your bed, with the net edges tucked under the bed or sleep in a screened room.
Spray insecticide where mosquitos may rest. Mosquito larvae survive well in clear, slow-flowing streams.
Avoid going to an area where malaria is common.

Following these guidelines and medication does not mean that you will not get malaria. If you have a fever or experience chills between 1 week and up to 1 year after your return, you should seek medical attention. Inform the doctor that you have been to a country where malaria is common. Malaria can be effectively treated if discovered early. A delay in treatment may result in serious health problems.