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The Lariam Controversy ... Mefloquine
Lariam, known generically as Mefloquine, emerged on the market in the 1980's as an alternative drug for areas with growing resistance to Chloroquine.
Lariam's success is that it prevents the malaria parasite breaking down a substance in the blood, known as haemin, by making the haemin toxic to the parasite.
Trials have revealed that there is absolutely no doubt that Lariam works in its objectives of preventing malaria. However, the side effects reported have been:
Dizziness
Numbness Depression |
Palpitations
Muscle spasms Mood swings |
Joint pains
Anxiety Weight loss |
Vomiting
Panic Attacks Nightmares |
Epileptic seizures
Psychosis Hallucinations |
Lariam was licensed for use in the UK in 1990 and became accepted as the main prophylaxis for Chloroquine-resistant areas in 1993.
Experts were swayed toward Lariam by further studies in 1993, establish that the side-effects were considered to be at acceptable levels. The reports showed that among 145,000 travellers returning from Africa, the rate of 'serious' side-effects from taking Lariam - defined as fatal or requiring hospitalisation was 1 in 10,000.
The study concluded that Lariam was 91% effective in Chloroquine-resistant areas, compared with 72% effectiveness with a combination of Chloroquine and Proquanil (Paludrin).
The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) found that 1 in 140 travellers on Lariam suffered temporarily disabling side-effects, severe enough to prevent them from carrying out day-to-day activities. One in 1,100 on Chloroquine and Proguaril suffered similar effects.
The Department of Health's Malaria Advisory Committee estimated:
Experts were swayed toward Lariam by further studies in 1993, establish that the side-effects were considered to be at acceptable levels. The reports showed that among 145,000 travellers returning from Africa, the rate of 'serious' side-effects from taking Lariam - defined as fatal or requiring hospitalisation was 1 in 10,000.
The study concluded that Lariam was 91% effective in Chloroquine-resistant areas, compared with 72% effectiveness with a combination of Chloroquine and Proquanil (Paludrin).
The Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) found that 1 in 140 travellers on Lariam suffered temporarily disabling side-effects, severe enough to prevent them from carrying out day-to-day activities. One in 1,100 on Chloroquine and Proguaril suffered similar effects.
The Department of Health's Malaria Advisory Committee estimated:
Prophylaxis
None Chloroquine/Proquanil Lariam |
Catching Malaria
60 - 400 6 - 120 2 - 40 |
No. of Deaths
2 - - |
Neuro-Psychiatric Side Effects
50 25 50 |
EXTRACTS FROM AN ARTICLE BY DR. ALAN SPIRA, USA - dated 03 July 1997
"There is a risk of side effects will all medications, as well as from Lariam. Always consult a doctor or a specialist in tropical medicine if you have doubts about taking prophylactics.
Anyone who has a history of seizures or psychiatric problems should consult their doctor before taking Larium!
It may be that Lariam unmasks an underlying condition - the condition itself being one that the affected person may refuse to accept.
For many years, people at risk of contracting malaria took Chloroquine. Unfortunately, in the last decade, resistance to this medication has developed in the malaria organisms throughout the world. As a result, alternative medications have been developed ... and the best of these is Lariam. the most common side-effects from Lariam are nausea, insomnia or vivid dreams, anxiety or dizziness.
Certain magazines have sensationalised the side-effects of Lariam and in a careless manner that has done the public a great disservice by causing undue alarm. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control, US) and the WHO (World Health Organisation), Lariam is a safe and effective drug for preventing malaria. the risk of serious/neuro-psychiatric side-effects are approximately 1 in 13,000 - the same as that of Chloroquine which has been used for decades without any disparaging comments. Over 18 scientific studies in the USA have been done on Lariam and no statistical difference has been found compared to Chloroquine or another anti-malarial, Proguanil. Individual case reports do not prove any association between the drug and the reaction - they only serve to raise a suspicion. The media has taken poorly designed and significantly flawed studies as the basis for their reporting.
Aspirin has a 7% rate of adverse drug reactions which is above that of Lariam at 0.001% of the American population. Could it be that Lariam unmasks hidden or undiagnosed emotional or psychiatric problems? The DCD states that Lariam prophylaxis is effective, well tolerated and has saved thousands of lives."
http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=5596150&targetid=profile
"There is a risk of side effects will all medications, as well as from Lariam. Always consult a doctor or a specialist in tropical medicine if you have doubts about taking prophylactics.
Anyone who has a history of seizures or psychiatric problems should consult their doctor before taking Larium!
It may be that Lariam unmasks an underlying condition - the condition itself being one that the affected person may refuse to accept.
For many years, people at risk of contracting malaria took Chloroquine. Unfortunately, in the last decade, resistance to this medication has developed in the malaria organisms throughout the world. As a result, alternative medications have been developed ... and the best of these is Lariam. the most common side-effects from Lariam are nausea, insomnia or vivid dreams, anxiety or dizziness.
Certain magazines have sensationalised the side-effects of Lariam and in a careless manner that has done the public a great disservice by causing undue alarm. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control, US) and the WHO (World Health Organisation), Lariam is a safe and effective drug for preventing malaria. the risk of serious/neuro-psychiatric side-effects are approximately 1 in 13,000 - the same as that of Chloroquine which has been used for decades without any disparaging comments. Over 18 scientific studies in the USA have been done on Lariam and no statistical difference has been found compared to Chloroquine or another anti-malarial, Proguanil. Individual case reports do not prove any association between the drug and the reaction - they only serve to raise a suspicion. The media has taken poorly designed and significantly flawed studies as the basis for their reporting.
Aspirin has a 7% rate of adverse drug reactions which is above that of Lariam at 0.001% of the American population. Could it be that Lariam unmasks hidden or undiagnosed emotional or psychiatric problems? The DCD states that Lariam prophylaxis is effective, well tolerated and has saved thousands of lives."
http://www.zoominfo.com/#!search/profile/person?personId=5596150&targetid=profile