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2.9 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

6 People found this comment helpful

I have been fortunate enough not to have any side effects during the 11 weeks I took this pill...well besides the first week when I had extreme nausea (from taking the pill on an empty stomach). I did not have any of the dreams or any other side effect. Where I went in Uganda Malaria has been very prevalent and I was bitten by mosquitos a lot of times but I never got sick from malaria. My experi...

Most voted negative review

1 People found this comment helpful

Horrible. It gave everyone terrible vivid nightmares and mental distress.

Shared reviews and ratings

Eric | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
9/8/2021
Condition: Malaria
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I took this Medication for 11 Months while deployed to Djibouti and Ethiopia Africa. The only side effect I had was the vivid dreams. I am a occasional sleep walker but this med did not lead to any increase.

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Anonymous | 19-24 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/15/2018
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I’m of African (sub Saharan) descent and had malaria couple of times so I’ve tried various medication for cure and for prevention. I believe that I have a very strong and intellectual mind and have never had any brain related dysfunctions nor have I witnessed/been aware of any, along my family lineage. This was the first time that I took mefloquine. I took mefloquine 250mg once a week for two weeks (before stopping)to prevent malaria as I was travelling to a malaria prone region. The first week was okay, I didn’t feel any different. After the second pill (subsequent week) I felt depressed 12 hours later. I rarely feel depressed and this was a first. At 24 hours after taking the pill, (peak concentration, in my body I suspect) I felt very restless and wanted to immediately go home (which was impossible because I was 17 hours from home). I suddenly felt like I was having a panic attack and couldn’t stand being next to anyone, I couldn’t trust or stand anyone (not even my girlfriend). I hid in the washroom and looked up symptoms of panic attacks ( never had one ) and it met all the criteria. My heart was racing, I felt like I needed to use the washroom all the time. I had suicidal thoughts because I felt like there was no point to life. I had thoughts of what if my closest family member died? These led to worse thoughts. I later fell asleep (after explaining what was going on) and had hallucinations. At 36hours I wanted to be alone but I wanted company, kept alternating between these two thoughts. I then realized that it was this drug that was messing up with my mind. I looked it up and saw the horrible side effects it had. But I could now monitor my thoughts and how the side effects were decreasing. At 48 hours I felt normal and could trust people again. Now that is my experience with the drug. I want to state that as a Christian I prayed a lot and took communion and it helped me know that I will make it through and that God was with me throughout.Read More Read Less

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Marwan | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/30/2017
Condition: Malaria
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This is by far the worst pill I have ever taken. It has increased my anxiety and insomnia. Had I known it was going to be this strong, I wouldn't have taken them. Seek other options.

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
9/4/2013
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Took the medication for 9 months while deployed to Afghanistan. Since starting I have had the worst and most vivid nightmares of my life. During one such nightmare attacked someone in the room with me. I have also been diagnosed with depression, a possible result from this medication. Despite being off it for several months the problems still persist.

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Ammavila | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/29/2012
Condition: Falciparum Malaria Resistant to the Medication Chloroquine
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I took Lariam during two different trips to Africa, a month-long trip and a three month trip a year later. I suffered from hallucinations, vivid dreams, and nightmares during which I sat bolt upright in my bed, screamed at the top of my lungs, yet didn't wake up. (My friends witnessed this, lucky them.) I had seizures. I physically attacked a friend who said she didn't have a light for my cigarette. (I was convinced that she was lying). I became so angry that my mind went red, I couldn't think, and I jumped her. I had to be pulled off her. I was in a manic state, couldn't sleep, grandiose thoughts, talking all the time. 15 years later, and I still talk in my sleep and have night terrors. I wouldn't wish this drug on my worst enemy. If I had to take it again I fully believe that I would wind up killing myself or someone else. This drug is an instrument of torture. No wonder they use it on prisoners at Guantanamo Bay!Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/22/2011
Condition: Prevention of Falciparum Malaria that is Resistant to Chloroquine
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

the side effects I had in the first two weeks it cause me loose stool which stopped after that. In the fourth week I start to complian from numbness in both hands. I also had an episode of one day flu like symptoms. In the six week I had strange dreams, like I'm watching cartoons. The numbness increased so that one night I jumped from my bed and start screaming, I was hallucinating. It ssems that the drug accumulate in my body. It has many serious drug-drug interactions that the patient should be informed about.Read More Read Less

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KingoftheTeam | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/21/2010
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Not sure if I was ever exposed to Malaria but frequented areas that required preventive measures. Only side effects eperienced was diarrhea and strange dreams.

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Michael | 25-34 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
3/11/2010
Condition: Other
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

While stationed in Afghanistan for 9 months,I took mefloquine.My only side effect at first were vivid dreams or night terrors.It was after I stoped taking the drug that the nausea,diahrea,headaches, anxiety,night sweats (daily), and nightmares(daily) began.It has been seven years and I still expirience these side effects.

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Anti-mefloquin | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/30/2009
Condition: Prevention of Falciparum Malaria that is Resistant to Chloroquine
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I post this as a warning to anyone with any history of depression or other mental health issues. I took this drug as a malaria preventative when I went abroad last year. Mefloquin literally spun me into a mania that required extensive hospitalization abroad and upon my return for psychiatric issues. I was hallucinating, couldn't sleep, had racing thoughts, tons of energy, was extremely emotional and out of my head. Horrifying in every respect. I missed two months of work. I now know that I will never again take a quinolone-class antibiotic and have it listed as a drug allergy.Read More Read Less

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steve | 19-24 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/21/2009
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

being stationed oversees, it was necessecary for us to be on this. i took the drug for 1 week, did not make it to the second dosage. i had a siezure a couple days after taking my first dosage.

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Desert Fighter | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/5/2009
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Was prescribed this medication for prophylaxis treatment. Was on it for almost 3 months. First 3 - 4 weeks I experienced vivid but not overly troubleing dreams. By 4th week I became very agressive and had difficulty sleeping. After two months began to experience anxiety and paranoia (thought co workers were "out to get me"). At 9 weeks I experienced "night terrors" the night I took my dose. Anxiety became worse and I started to feel alternating anger and depression. The day of my last dose I felt like I was shot with methadrine for the entire day. I finally realized the symptoms were worst on days I took this medicine. I did not realize how badly this drug was effecting my disposition and behavior. After the last dose I sought out medical treatment and was switched to doxycycline and given ambien to aid in sleeping over the next week. Have people around you who are aware of possible side effects if you are using this medication. Read More Read Less

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Pete | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
3/22/2009
Condition: Prevention of Falciparum Malaria that is Resistant to Chloroquine
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Mefloquine worked for me in Afghanistan. I started with Doxycycline. Doxycycline make me vomit after 5 days of continous use no matter if I took it with food, after meals or on a empty stomach. But!!! I had strange dreams, and suffered from depression and mania. I will take it again but also have mild anti-depressents to go along with it. It worked well with little or no side effects when taken with remeron and effexor.

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Anonymous | 19-24 | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/15/2008
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been fortunate enough not to have any side effects during the 11 weeks I took this pill...well besides the first week when I had extreme nausea (from taking the pill on an empty stomach). I did not have any of the dreams or any other side effect. Where I went in Uganda Malaria has been very prevalent and I was bitten by mosquitos a lot of times but I never got sick from malaria. My experience was positive

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usmale | 55-64 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/27/2008
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After taking the second dose of this drug I noticed that I was having an irregular heart beat when I was resting or going to sleep, as you really notice things like that at that time. My daughter is a nurse so I contacted her and she advised me to stop the drug, which I have done. Needless to say I will not take this grug again! What is troubling is that the 1/2 life of this drug is 2 to 4 weeks, so I can look forward to a "jumpy" heart beat for some time!

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Anonymous |
12/30/2007
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I had to take this drug to prevent malaria. The first couple of weeks taking it was fine. I did not feel any symptoms or side effects. The last 2 weeks of treatment, I was plagued with feelings of anxiety and irritability. I stopped taking the medication. After I got home from my trip, I suffered panic attacks and anxiety for months. I will never take this medication again. Needless to say, I didn't get malaria, but there are other medications that you can take to prevent malaria.

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Anonymous |
11/8/2007
Condition: Preventive Treatment of Vivax Malaria
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Horrible. It gave everyone terrible vivid nightmares and mental distress.

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