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Mefloquine

Mefloquine is an antimalarial medicine used to treat acute malaria infections and to prevent malaria when traveling to areas where it is present.

Brand name Lariam
Drug class Antimalarial
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 3 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 8, 2026
Mefloquine at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Mefloquine is an older antimalarial, available generically, that kills malaria parasites inside red blood cells (including chloroquine-resistant strains); it treats malaria and prevents it in travelers, though for prevention it is now usually a second choice. Many people take it without trouble, but nausea, dizziness, vivid dreams and poor sleep are common. Its boxed warning covers anxiety, depression, paranoia, confusion and balance problems that can last months or years after stopping, and it should not be used for prevention in anyone with a major psychiatric disorder. If any of these start during prevention, stop it and have your prescriber switch you to another antimalarial.

Clinical pearls

  • Take it with food and water on the same weekday, from one week before travel until four weeks after returning.
  • Ketoconazole and the antimalarial halofantrine must be avoided while taking mefloquine and for 15 weeks after your last dose.
  • If you take seizure medicine, mefloquine can lower its levels, so your seizure control may need checking.
  • Report vision changes, ringing in the ears or persistent dizziness, and avoid driving, piloting or diving if your balance feels off.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert ▾

Mefloquine can cause serious mental and neurological side effects that may last long after you stop taking it. These include anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and psychotic behavior. In some cases, these effects have continued for months or years. Because of this risk, mefloquine should not be prescribed for malaria prevention in anyone who has a major psychiatric disorder. If you develop any psychiatric or neurological symptoms — such as unusual mood changes, confusion, or dizziness — while taking mefloquine for prevention, the drug should be stopped immediately and replaced with a different medication.

Read the full warning on DailyMed →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet
Earliest FDA record1989
Companies listing it with the FDA3
FDA label last updatedSep 26, 2025
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)Yes, read the warning

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Mefloquine, written from its FDA label.

What Mefloquine is used for

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Mefloquine is an antimalarial drug approved for two main purposes: treating active malaria and preventing malaria infection.

  • Treatment of acute malaria: Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets treat mild to moderate malaria caused by P. falciparum (including chloroquine-resistant strains) and P. vivax in adults and children. There is not enough clinical evidence to confirm effectiveness against P. ovale or P. malariae.
  • Prevention of malaria: Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets prevent P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria, including chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum, in travelers and others at risk.
  • Note on P. vivax relapse: Because mefloquine does not clear the liver (hepatic) stage of P. vivax, patients treated for this strain typically need a follow-up medication such as primaquine to prevent relapse.
  • Severe malaria: For life-threatening malaria, intravenous (IV) antimalarials are used first; mefloquine tablets may be given afterward to complete the course.

How Mefloquine works

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Mefloquine is classified as a blood schizonticide — it kills the malaria parasite during the stage when it is living and multiplying inside red blood cells (the erythrocytic stage). Its exact mechanism at the molecular level is not fully known. It is effective against Plasmodium species that are resistant to chloroquine, making it a valuable option when chloroquine can no longer be used. It has no effect on the liver (exoerythrocytic) stages of the parasite.

Resistance to mefloquine can develop — strains of P. falciparum with reduced susceptibility have been identified. If mefloquine prophylaxis has previously failed, mefloquine should not be used for treatment of that infection.

Mefloquine dosage

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Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets are taken by mouth. Always take them with food and a full glass of water — never on an empty stomach, as food significantly improves absorption.

  • Treatment: Adults take a single full course in one dose (or, for children, split into two doses 6–8 hours apart). Tablets can be crushed and mixed with liquid for children who cannot swallow them whole.
  • Prevention: One tablet once weekly, always on the same day each week, ideally after the main meal. Start 1 week before entering a malaria zone and continue for 4 full weeks after leaving. In some situations, your doctor may recommend starting 2–3 weeks before departure.
  • Follow your prescriber's instructions exactly regarding timing and duration — do not stop early or change the schedule without medical advice.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Mefloquine prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Malaria Treatment in Adults (mild to moderate malaria caused by mefloquine-susceptible strains of P. falciparum or by P. vivax)
    • Five tablets (1250 mg) mefloquine hydrochloride to be given as a single oral dose
    • Not to be taken on an empty stomach; give with at least 8 oz (240 mL) of water
  • Malaria Prophylaxis in Adults
    • One 250 mg mefloquine hydrochloride tablet once weekly
    • Begin 1 week before arrival in an endemic area, take on the same day each week, and continue for 4 additional weeks after leaving the endemic area
    • Not to be taken on an empty stomach, preferably after the main meal; give with at least 8 oz (240 mL) of water
  • Malaria Treatment in Pediatric Patients (mild to moderate malaria caused by mefloquine-susceptible strains of P. falciparum)
    • 20 to 25 mg/kg body weight
    • Splitting the total dose into 2 doses taken 6 to 8 hours apart may reduce the occurrence or severity of adverse effects
    • Maximum: The pediatric dose should not exceed the adult dose
    • Experience in patients weighing less than 20 kg is limited; give with ample water, not on an empty stomach; safety and effectiveness not established below 6 months of age
  • Malaria Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients
    • Approximately 5 mg/kg body weight once weekly
    • Over 45 kg: one 250 mg tablet once weekly
    • 30 to 45 kg: 3/4 tablet
    • 20 to 30 kg: 1/2 tablet
    • Weekly dose decreases in proportion to body weight under 45 kg; experience in patients weighing less than 20 kg is limited
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Malaria Treatment in Adults Treatment of mild to moderate malaria in adults caused by mefloquine-susceptible strains of P. falciparum or by P. vivax: Dosage: Five tablets (1250 mg) mefloquine hydrochloride to be given as a single oral dose. The drug should not be taken on an empty stomach and should be administered with at least 8 oz (240 mL) of water. If a full-treatment course with mefloquine does not lead to improvement within 48 to 72 hours, mefloquine should not be used for retreatment. An alternative therapy should be used. Similarly, if previous prophylaxis with mefloquine failed, mefloquine should not be used for curative treatment (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ). Note: Patients with acute P. vivax malaria, treated with mefloquine, are at high risk of relapse because mefloquine does not eliminate exoerythrocytic (hepatic phase) parasites. To avoid relapse after initial treatment of the acute infection with mefloquine, patients should subsequently be treated with an 8-aminoquinoline derivative (e.g., primaquine). Malaria Prophylaxis in Adults Dosage: One 250 mg mefloquine hydrochloride tablet once weekly. Prophylactic drug administration should begin 1 week before arrival in an endemic area. Subsequent weekly doses should be taken regularly, always on the same day of each week, preferably after the main meal. To reduce the risk of malaria after leaving an endemic area, prophylaxis must be continued for 4 additional weeks to ensure suppressive blood levels of the drug when merozoites emerge from the liver. Tablets should not be taken on an empty stomach and should be administered with at least 8 oz (240 mL) of water. In certain cases, e.g., when a traveler is taking other medication, it may be desirable to start prophylaxis 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure, in order to ensure that the combination of drugs is well tolerated (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ). When prophylaxis with mefloquine fails, physicians should carefully evaluate which antimalarial to use for therapy. Malaria Treatment in Pediatric Patients Treatment of mild to moderate malaria in pediatric patients caused by mefloquine-susceptible strains of P. falciparum: Dosage: 20 to 25 mg/kg body weight. Splitting the total therapeutic dose into 2 doses taken 6 to 8 hours apart may reduce the occurrence or severity of adverse effects.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Mefloquine side effects

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The most commonly reported side effects of mefloquine include:

Common side effects

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dizziness or vertigo (spinning sensation)
  • Diarrhea or loose stools
  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches (myalgia)
  • Sleep problems or abnormal dreams
  • Abdominal pain and loss of appetite
  • Skin rash or itching

When to get medical help

  • Call your doctor right away if you develop anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, or unusual behavior — these can signal serious psychiatric reactions.
  • Seek immediate help if you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
  • Tell your doctor if you notice persistent dizziness, loss of balance, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) — these may not go away even after stopping the drug.
  • Get medical help if you have a seizure (convulsion) while taking mefloquine.
  • Contact your doctor if you notice any vision changes or eye problems.
  • Seek emergency care for irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or fainting.
  • Go to the ER if you experience symptoms of overdose — worsening of any side effect listed, especially heart or mental symptoms.
  • If malaria symptoms do not improve within 48–72 hours of starting treatment, contact your doctor immediately — do not re-treat with mefloquine.

More serious reactions — including severe psychiatric symptoms (hallucinations, depression, suicidal thoughts), seizures, vision changes, and significant heart-rhythm problems — require immediate medical attention. Because mefloquine stays in the body for weeks, side effects can appear or continue well after the last dose.

Mefloquine warnings and precautions

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  • Psychiatric and neurological effects: Mefloquine can cause anxiety, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, and psychotic behavior. These can begin early and may persist for months or years after stopping — and in some cases may be permanent. Cases of suicidal ideation and suicide have been reported.
  • Not for use in major psychiatric conditions (prevention): Mefloquine should not be prescribed for malaria prevention in anyone with active or recent depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, or other major psychiatric illness, or a history of seizures.
  • Neurological effects: Dizziness, loss of balance, and tinnitus have been reported to be permanent in some patients. Avoid activities requiring alertness and coordination (driving, operating machinery, piloting, deep-sea diving) if these symptoms occur.
  • Heart-rhythm risk: Combining mefloquine with halofantrine or ketoconazole within 15 weeks can cause a potentially fatal heart-rhythm problem (QTc prolongation). Other cardiac drugs should also be used with caution.
  • Eye problems: Retinal disorders and optic neuropathy (nerve damage affecting vision) have been reported. Report any vision changes to your doctor promptly.
  • Seizures: Mefloquine may increase seizure risk, especially in people with epilepsy or when combined with certain other antimalarials.

Mefloquine interactions

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Mefloquine interacts with several medications — some combinations are dangerous and must be avoided entirely:

  • Halofantrine: Never combine with mefloquine or take within 15 weeks of the last dose — risk of potentially fatal heart-rhythm abnormality.
  • Ketoconazole: Never combine with mefloquine or take within 15 weeks of the last dose — raises mefloquine levels significantly and risks a fatal heart-rhythm problem.
  • Quinine and quinidine: Can cause heart-rhythm abnormalities and increase seizure risk when combined with mefloquine.
  • Chloroquine: Increases the risk of seizures when used together.
  • Anticonvulsants (valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin): Mefloquine can lower their blood levels, potentially worsening seizure control — blood level monitoring is advised.
  • Heart or rhythm medications (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmics, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines): May add to heart-conduction effects; use with caution.
  • Rifampin: Significantly lowers mefloquine levels, potentially reducing its effectiveness against malaria.
  • Oral live typhoid vaccine: Complete the vaccine course at least 3 days before starting mefloquine to avoid reduced vaccine effectiveness.
  • Anticoagulants and diabetes medications: Effects of mefloquine on these have not been fully studied; check with your doctor before travel.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Mefloquine prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Beta blocker (propranolol): There is one report of cardiopulmonary arrest, with full recovery, in a patient taking propranolol. Weigh the benefits of mefloquine against the possibility of adverse effects in patients with cardiac disease.
  • Halofantrine: Risk of a potentially fatal prolongation of the QTc interval. Should not be administered with mefloquine or within 15 weeks of the last dose of mefloquine.
  • Other antimalarial drugs (e.g., quinine, quinidine, chloroquine): Concomitant use may produce electrocardiographic abnormalities and increase the risk of convulsions. If used in the initial treatment of severe malaria, delay mefloquine administration at least 12 hours after the last dose.
  • Ketoconazole (potent inhibitor of CYP3A4): Increased mean Cmax and AUC of mefloquine by 64% and 79%, and mean elimination half-life from 322 hours to 448 hours; risk of a potentially fatal prolongation of the QTc interval. Should not be administered with mefloquine or within 15 weeks of the last dose of mefloquine.
  • Other drugs that prolong the QTc interval (anti-arrhythmic or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, calcium channel blockers, antihistamines or H1-blocking agents, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines): Drugs known to alter cardiac conduction might also contribute to a prolongation of the QTc interval; no data conclusively establish an effect on cardiac function.
  • Anticonvulsants (e.g., valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin): Mefloquine may reduce seizure control by lowering the plasma levels of the anticonvulsant. Monitor the blood level of the anti-seizure medication and adjust the dosage appropriately.
  • Oral live typhoid vaccines: Attenuation of immunization cannot be excluded. Complete vaccinations with attenuated live bacteria at least 3 days before the first dose of mefloquine.
  • Rifampin (potent inducer of CYP3A4): Decreased mean Cmax and AUC of mefloquine by 19% and 68%, and mean elimination half-life from 305 hours to 113 hours. Rifampin should be used cautiously in patients taking mefloquine.
  • Inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4: Inhibitors may increase mefloquine plasma concentrations with potential risk of adverse reactions; inducers may decrease concentrations with potential reduction in efficacy. Use mefloquine with caution with CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers.
  • Substrates and inhibitors of P-glycoprotein: Mefloquine is a substrate and inhibitor of P-glycoprotein in vitro, so interactions could occur with drugs that are substrates or modify expression of this transporter; clinical relevance is not known.
Read the label’s full interactions text

Drug Interactions Drug-drug interactions with mefloquine have not been explored in detail. There is one report of cardiopulmonary arrest, with full recovery, in a patient who was taking a beta blocker (propranolol) (see PRECAUTIONS, Cardiac Effects ). The effects of mefloquine on the compromised cardiovascular system have not been evaluated. The benefits of mefloquine therapy should be weighed against the possibility of adverse effects in patients with cardiac disease. Halofantrine Halofantrine should not be administered with mefloquine or within 15 weeks of the last dose of mefloquine due to the risk of a potentially fatal prolongation of the QTc interval (see WARNINGS ). Other Antimalarial Drugs Concomitant administration of mefloquine and other related antimalarial compounds (e.g., quinine, quinidine and chloroquine) may produce electrocardiographic abnormalities and increase the risk of convulsions (see WARNINGS ). If these drugs are to be used in the initial treatment of severe malaria, mefloquine administration should be delayed at least 12 hours after the last dose. Clinically significant QTc prolongation has not been found with mefloquine alone. Ketoconazole (Potent Inhibitor of CYP3A4) Coadministration of a single 500 mg oral dose of mefloquine with 400 mg of ketoconazole once daily for 10 days in 8 healthy volunteers resulted in an increase in the mean C max and AUC of mefloquine by 64% and 79%, respectively, and an increase in the mean elimination half-life of mefloquine from 322 hours to 448 hours. Ketoconazole should not be administered with mefloquine or within 15 weeks of the last dose of mefloquine due to the risk of a potentially fatal prolongation of the QTc interval (see WARNINGS ).

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿23 supplements and herbs with documented Mefloquine interactions, ranked by severity Check Mefloquine against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Mefloquine

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  • Tell your doctor if you have — or have ever had — depression, anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia, or any major psychiatric illness. Mefloquine is contraindicated for prevention in these patients.
  • Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or a history of seizures — mefloquine should only be used for treatment (not prevention) in these patients, and only when absolutely necessary.
  • Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, irregular heart rhythms, or are taking any heart medications.
  • Tell your doctor if you are allergic to mefloquine, quinine, quinidine, or similar drugs.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant — mefloquine crosses the placenta. Discuss the risks and benefits carefully with your provider.
  • Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding — small amounts pass into breast milk.
  • Children under 6 months: safety and effectiveness for malaria treatment have not been established.
  • If you take anti-seizure medications, blood levels may need monitoring and dose adjustments while on mefloquine.
  • Patients on dialysis: no special dose adjustment is needed for prevention, as only a small amount of the drug is eliminated through the kidneys.

Mefloquine overdose

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Taking too much mefloquine is likely to cause more intense versions of its known side effects — particularly psychiatric and heart-related symptoms. There is no specific antidote. If overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical care immediately; treatment focuses on supportive care and monitoring of heart function and neurological status.

What Mefloquine does in the body

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Mefloquine acts on the blood stages of malaria parasites, killing them while they multiply inside red blood cells — this is called a schizonticide effect. It is active against Plasmodium species including chloroquine-resistant strains. It does not have activity against the liver stages of the parasite. At therapeutic levels, mefloquine does not cause QTc interval prolongation on its own, but combining it with certain other drugs can create a dangerous risk of abnormal heart rhythm.

How your body processes Mefloquine

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Mefloquine is well absorbed when taken by mouth, and taking it with food increases absorption by about 40%. It is very widely distributed throughout the body and is approximately 98% protein-bound. It is processed (metabolized) mainly in the liver by an enzyme called CYP3A4. Mefloquine has an unusually long half-life — averaging about 3 weeks — meaning it stays in your system for a long time after you stop taking it, which is why side effects can linger and why it only needs to be taken once weekly for prevention. The drug is eliminated mainly through bile and feces, with only a small fraction leaving via urine.

How to store Mefloquine

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Dispense in tight, light-resistant container as determined in the USP using a child-resistant closure. Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F) (see USP Controlled Room Temperature).

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

23

Supplements & herbs that interact with Mefloquine

23 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Mefloquine in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 1
  • Moderate · 13
  • Minor · 9
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major BIOFEEDBACK Moderate COFFEE CHARCOAL Moderate DENDROBIUM Moderate EUROPEAN MANDRAKE Moderate GINKGO Moderate GLUCOMANNAN Moderate GUAR GUM Moderate +15 more
Every supplement checked against Mefloquine — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 1 major · 13 moderate · 9 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Mefloquine against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Mefloquine: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Mefloquine — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What exactly is mefloquine used for?

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Mefloquine is used for two things: treating active malaria infections and preventing malaria when you're traveling to parts of the world where malaria is common. It works against several types of malaria parasites, including strains that are resistant to the older drug chloroquine. If you're being treated for one specific type called P. vivax, you'll likely need a second medication afterward to prevent the infection from coming back, because mefloquine doesn't clear the parasite from your liver.

How and when should I take this tablet?

▾
Always take mefloquine with food and a full 8-ounce glass of water — never on an empty stomach. If you're taking it weekly to prevent malaria, pick the same day each week and try to take it after your main meal. Start one week before you travel to a malaria area and keep taking it for four full weeks after you leave. If you're treating an active infection, follow your doctor's instructions exactly on timing. The tablets can be crushed and mixed into a small amount of water, milk, or another drink if swallowing them whole is difficult.

What side effects should I expect, and which ones should I call my doctor about?

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Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, stomach upset, diarrhea, and vivid or unusual dreams. These are often manageable, especially when the tablet is taken with food. The side effects you need to call your doctor about right away are any mood changes — anxiety, depression, confusion, paranoia, or hallucinations — as well as thoughts of self-harm, loss of balance that doesn't improve, vision changes, seizures, or an irregular or pounding heartbeat. These can be signs of serious reactions that need immediate medical attention.

Can the side effects last after I stop taking mefloquine?

▾
Yes, and this is really important to know. Mefloquine stays in your body for weeks — its average half-life is about three weeks. That means side effects, especially dizziness, ringing in the ears, and psychiatric symptoms like anxiety or depression, can continue or even first appear after you've finished the medication. In some cases, these effects have lasted months or years. If you notice any of these symptoms after stopping mefloquine, let your doctor know right away.

Are there medications I absolutely cannot take with mefloquine?

▾
Yes — two drugs must never be combined with mefloquine or taken within 15 weeks of your last dose: halofantrine (another antimalarial) and ketoconazole (an antifungal). Both combinations can cause a potentially life-threatening heart-rhythm problem. Quinine and quinidine should also be used very carefully alongside mefloquine, as they can also affect heart rhythm and increase seizure risk. Always give your doctor and pharmacist a full list of everything you're taking before starting mefloquine.

Is mefloquine safe if I have a history of depression or anxiety?

▾
If you have active depression, a recent history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia, mefloquine should not be used for malaria prevention — it's contraindicated. If you have a past history of depression, your doctor can still consider it for treatment in certain situations, but with extra caution. This isn't a small warning — mefloquine can trigger serious psychiatric reactions in vulnerable people, and those effects can be long-lasting. Make sure your full mental health history is part of the conversation with your prescriber before starting this medication.

Is Mefloquine available over the counter?

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No. Mefloquine is a prescription medicine: every Mefloquine product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Mefloquine first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Mefloquine is from 1989: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Mefloquine was first used.

Who makes Mefloquine?

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3 companies currently list Mefloquine products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including A-S Medication Solutions, Chartwell RX, LLC, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Mefloquine on HelloPharmacist

📊Mefloquine supplement interactions23 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerMefloquine vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Mefloquine NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Mefloquine Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Mefloquine forms and strengths (how it comes)

Mefloquine is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Mefloquine inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets are used to treat mild to moderate acute malaria caused by susceptible strains of P. falciparum or P. vivax in adults and children.
  • Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets are used to prevent P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria infections, including chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum, in adults and children.
Important instructions
  • Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets must be taken with food and at least a full 8 oz glass of water — never on an empty stomach.
  • For prevention, Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets are taken once weekly, always on the same day, starting 1 week before entering a malaria-endemic area and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving.
  • Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets may be crushed and mixed with a small amount of water, milk, or other beverage for children or others who cannot swallow them whole.
  • For treatment in children, Mefloquine Hydrochloride tablets may be split into two doses taken 6 to 8 hours apart to help reduce side effects.
Available strengths 1 strength
250 mg
7 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Mefloquine on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Mefloquine appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

3 companies list 3 Mefloquine product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1989. Brand names on the directory include Lariam; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
3
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
1
Brand names
3
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1989
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (5) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

A-S Medication Solutions33%
Chartwell RX, LLC33%
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.33%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Mefloquine is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Mefloquine is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Mefloquine is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

4,419
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$148,543 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Mefloquine prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Mefloquine ranks #1,067 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 33% of them.

Where Mefloquine ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #1,067 of 1,601
#1,062 Docosanol 4,506 Rx #1,063 Tolmetin 4,475 Rx #1,064 Letermovir 4,462 Rx #1,065 Fidaxomicin 4,446 Rx #1,066 Galantamine 4,431 Rx #1,067 Mefloquine 4,419 Rx #1,068 Terbutaline Injection 4,399 Rx #1,069 Fosinopril 4,328 Rx #1,070 Cefoxitin Injection 4,302 Rx #1,071 Saxagliptin 4,230 Rx #1,072 Clomiphene 4,223 Rx

Utilization by Mefloquine product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

mefloquine hydrochloride 250 MG Oral Tablet

4,419 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 100% of Mefloquine prescriptions shown $148,543 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $34 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 11 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 835913

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Mefloquine, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 2 of 11 listed Mefloquine NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Mefloquine products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Mefloquine — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Strength Route Manufacturer / Labeler Category ⓘ Details
💊Tablet
250 mg Oral A-S Medication Solutions ANDA View NDC →
250 mg Oral Chartwell RX, LLC ANDA View NDC →
250 mg Oral Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. ANDA View NDC →

Showing 3 of 3 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 3 Mefloquine NDCs →

Mefloquine recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Mefloquine recalls since July 2021.

✅No Mefloquine recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Mefloquine RxCUI 6694 1 dose form · 1 strength
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 372745 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 250 MG RxCUI 835913

Look up RxCUI 6694 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Mefloquine costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet · Oral 250 mg $3.97 per tablet NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Mefloquine brand names

Mefloquine is sold under one brand name in the FDA directory — Lariam. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Lariam

Who makes Mefloquine: manufacturers and labelers

3 companies list Mefloquine products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are A-S Medication Solutions, Chartwell RX, LLC, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

A-S Medication Solutions 1 Chartwell RX, LLC 1 Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 1

Mefloquine drug class (RxNorm)

Mefloquine belongs to the Antimalarial class.

Pharmacologic class Antimalarial
Drug family (ATC) Methanolquinolines

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Mefloquine page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Sep 26, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Mefloquine.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Mefloquine after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
3
Finished products in the current FDA directory
3
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
3
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
3
Linked representative label ⓘ
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
Linked label effective
Sep 26, 2025
Composite sections available
18
Linked SPL Set ID
09716a24-d7da-42b2-af29-c03a1b6670bd
Linked SPL Document ID
4b2b45f8-ed63-4b3c-87c5-801996f5b154
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →