Lariam (Mefloquine)

What is Lariam?

Lariam is a medicine that is taken to treat and prevent people from catching malaria when visiting a tropical country.

These tablets contain mefloquine as the active ingredient and can be taken by adults and children over 3 months old.

To buy Lariam tablets, you must have a prescription.

What is Lariam used to treat?

Lariam is used to prevent travellers from catching the life-threatening disease malaria. It can also be taken to treat malaria if you have already caught it.

Lariam tablets should be taken once a week at the same time. As a preventative treatment, you should start to take this medication two weeks before you travel to your destination. You should also keep taking it for four weeks when you come home, as this will make sure malaria’s incubation period is also covered.

How does Lariam work?

Lariam’s active ingredient, mefloquine, works to target the malaria-causing parasites. It stops these parasites from reproducing and spreading. 

The risk of malaria can be reduced by as much as 90% when taking anti-malaria tablets such as Lariam. It is typically prescribed to be taken before, during and after your trip to successfully prevent malaria when travelling to high-risk areas.

Why is Lariam recommended for malaria?

Lariam contains meflonique, which is one of the four most-recommended antimalarial medicines for preventing the contraction of this disease when travelling to high-risk countries. 

Lariam is a particularly renowned antimalarial medicine because it is able to treat this disease in regions where other antimalarials are no longer effective, due to malaria developing an immunity to them.

Who can take Lariam?

Lariam is not suitable for everyone to take.

If you have ever experienced any of the following, you must not take Lariam:

• Depression, suicidal thoughts or self-endangering behaviour
• Allergies to mefloquine or any of the other ingredients contained in Lariam
• Seizures, convulsions or fits
• Severe liver problems
• Any mental issues, such as schizophrenia, psychosis or anxiety disorder
• Blackwater fever

Do not take Lariam without speaking to your doctor if:

• You have fits
• You have epilepsy
• You have any liver or kidney problems
• You have a blood or lymphatic disorder
• You have any eye problems
• You have any heart problems, especially changes in heart rhythm
• You have previously caught malaria while taking Lariam to prevent malaria
• You have low blood glucose due to congenital hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemia
• You have pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs)
• You have neuropathy with signs like numbness, pins and needles, unsteadiness on your feet or shaking of your hands or feet
• You have ever had an allergic reaction to Lariam or any of the ingredients contained within it

This information is not exhaustive. Always read the patient information leaflet for a complete list of warnings. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.

Can you buy Lariam over the counter?

No, you must have a prescription to buy Lariam tablets. Speak to your doctor if you are travelling to a destination that poses a malaria risk.

Can you buy Lariam online in the UK?

You can buy Lariam tablets online from regulated pharmacies like Medicine Direct.

However, as Lariam is a prescription medication, we must first ask you to complete an online consultation before you can purchase it. All you need to do is answer some questions in an online questionnaire for one of our prescribers to review.

For your own safety, do not buy any type of medication online unless it is from a regulated pharmacy like Medicine Direct.

Lariam alternatives

The type of antimalarial medication you should take depends on where in the world you are travelling to. This is because certain malaria has developed immunity to some medicines.

Make sure your doctor knows where you intend to travel to, so they can prescribe an appropriate medicine.

At Medicine Direct, we also stock Malarone, which is taken in high-risk destinations and can also work to both prevent and treat malaria. Malarone may be more suitable for people who have experienced mental health issues.