[e-drug] Mefloquine as malaria chemoprophylaxis (3)

["Dr S Toovey" <toovey@travelclinic.co.za>]

Mefloquine as malaria chemoprophylaxis (3)
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Mefloquine is known to be neurotoxic, a fact which may explain the
documented increased odds of panic attacks and psychosis. An increased
incidence of neuropsychiatric side effects was convincingly demonstrated in
a placebo controlled study. These adverse events occurred in the phase
before departure, discounting the effects of travel.

Many military organizations give their troops mefloquine. I am not sure this
is always sensible. The high profile murder investigation in the US military
is examining whether mefloquine may have played a causative role.

It would seem unwise to give mefloquine to those working with dangerous
machinery, as in a vessel's engine room. Aviation pilots are precluded from
using mefloquine for prophylaxis, and it would seem to be a good idea for
ship's pilots.
 

Dr Stephen Toovey MBBCh, CTM, FACTM, FFTM
Aviation medical examiner
Johannesburg South Africa, Basel Switzerland
Phones:+27-82-466-6322;+41-61-421-7872
SMS:+27-82-466-6322
Fax:+41-61-421-7063
Postal address: Burggartenstrasse 32, CH-4103 Bottmingen, Switzerland
toovey@travelclinic.co.za