Mefloquine and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2017

Mefloquine for Malaria Prevention "My boyfriend and I were prescribed Lariam for a trip around Asia, both 25, fit, and healthy. Both have taken various malaria medications for other trips and have never reacted, always been fine, even on months' worth of doxycycline. After the first tablet, I was experiencing very vivid dreams-which was fine and had no issues, even though some were quite frightening. However, over the next two weeks, I have had all the symptoms including extreme nauseousness, consistent diarrhea (sometimes seven times in one day), insomnia, panic and anxiety attacks, a faint feeling, and worst of all, tingling sensations and slight numbness in hands and legs-very scary at times. A can of Coke helped. Please don't take this medication and look for other alternatives-not worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2020

Mefloquine for Malaria Prevention "Was issued this drug for a deployment to Afghanistan. Took it for a year. Now I have a stutter in my speech, anxiety, depression, and a bit of paranoia. I've been told it's PTSD, but I spent the entire time over there stuck on the base doing paperwork. I didn't experience any traumatic stress at all."

• tig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2013

For Malaria Prevention "After taking mefloquine, I suffered from 'sleep starts.' Although I stopped using it, a new symptom arose, like anxiety, paresthesia, hyperreflexia, muscle twitching. It has been two years now, but I am still having these symptoms, but to a lesser extent."

• gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2020

Mefloquine for Malaria Prevention "In 1996, my husband and I took Lariam before traveling to Zimbabwe and Botswana. I noticed I was very jittery on the flight all night from London to Zimbabwe. Had difficulty sleeping and wondered why, as we were in First Class and very comfortable. My husband felt shaky most of the time we were there, which was 12 days. When we returned home, I had nightmares, and he felt worse every day. I finally went to our doctor, and after I reminded her what I had taken every day, I think for 14 days, she said, 'It is the Lariam!' After that, I told everyone I knew not to take it! Friends had told me originally not to take it, but I figured it would not bother me, but it did. Thank you."

• Mar...
• October 21, 2015

Mefloquine for Malaria "Very bad. It is one pill a day. Got anxiety, skin rash, and was not hungry. Would not recommend."

• Ben...
• February 16, 2018

For Malaria Prevention "Took the 250 mg dosage for two weeks, had a severe panic attack 24 hours after the second one. I've had general anxiety for more than a month. Do not take this medication."