Mefloquine and Insomnia: 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."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2025

For Malaria Prevention "Chose mefloquine because it was a once per week drug for 4 weeks. I figured better compliance. I started the drug 1 week before travel, and doses 2-4 were during my 3-week stay in Liberia. While there, I was wondering why I could not sleep or even nap. Finally, I looked up the side effects of mefloquine. One of the ones listed was problems sleeping, which I had during and after the trip. I've been back two weeks and still having trouble sleeping. The reason I am up writing this experience at 1:40 AM. Having to take Ambien just to get some sleep; melatonin was useless. Would not recommend this drug as there are other antimicrobials to choose from without this possible side effect. The convenience of taking it once a week was not worth the risk of insomnia."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2025

For Malaria Prevention "Chose mefloquine because it was a once per week drug for 4 weeks. I figured better compliance. I started the drug 1 week before travel, and doses 2-4 were during my 3-week stay in Liberia. While there, I was wondering why I could not sleep or even nap. Finally, I looked up the side effects of mefloquine. One of the ones listed was problems sleeping, which I had during and after the trip. I've been back two weeks and still having trouble sleeping. The reason I am up writing this experience at 1:40 AM. Having to take Ambien just to get some sleep; melatonin was useless. Would not recommend this drug as there are other antimicrobials to choose from without this possible side effect. The convenience of taking it once a week was not worth the risk of insomnia."

• Sal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 19, 2020

For Malaria Prevention "I took this drug, mefloquine, for two years straight while stationed in Angola. Never experienced any of the side effects or had any problems thereafter. However, many others stationed with me had to stop taking the drug due to bad dreams, insomnia, and depression problems."