Heightened psychological problems

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Library: Peace Corps: Lariam : Discussion of the Use of anti-malarial drug Lariam: Heightened psychological problems

By Very Concerned on Thursday, June 20, 2002 - 11:45 am: Edit Post

While in southern Africa, I stopped taking mefloquin (Larium) because of depression. My spirits improved greatly after I took myself off of the mefloquin. I know that several other volunteers also took themselves off of mefloquin for a variety of reasons. I do believe that more studies need to be completed.

By Registered Nurse on Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 11:41 am: Edit Post

I am a registered nurse, with over 30 years of experience in psychiatric acute care. While visiting my Peace Corp daughter in Africa I took Lariam. I experienced vivid, disturbingly wild dreams, intrusive, bizarre day-time thoughts, stress over my changed mental state, and an inability to sleep that contined long after I quit taking the drug. I researched Lariam and found I was experiencing disturbing side effects associated with the drug. I believe many others have also experienced these side effects without knowing they are drug related since the travel clinics have not provided adequate warnings. Upon return to this country, most individuals with problems would follow up with their primary care physician, as I did, rather than the travel clinic that prescribed the drug. My psychiatric nursing background provided me with knowledge to assess the changes I experienced. I had to educate my physician about the growing body of information related to Lariam, and he clearly agreed that the drug was causing significant side effects for me. After I quit taking it, my disordered sleep pattern continued for about another month. Much more research needs to be done with this drug.

By Registered Nurse on Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 11:41 am: Edit Post

I am a registered nurse, with over 30 years of experience in psychiatric acute care. While visiting my Peace Corp daughter in Africa I took Lariam. I experienced vivid, disturbingly wild dreams, intrusive, bizarre day-time thoughts, stress over my changed mental state, and an inability to sleep that contined long after I quit taking the drug. I researched Lariam and found I was experiencing disturbing side effects associated with the drug. I believe many others have also experienced these side effects without knowing they are drug related since the travel clinics have not provided adequate warnings. Upon return to this country, most individuals with problems would follow up with their primary care physician, as I did, rather than the travel clinic that prescribed the drug. My psychiatric nursing background provided me with knowledge to assess the changes I experienced. I had to educate my physician about the growing body of information related to Lariam, and he clearly agreed that the drug was causing significant side effects for me. After I quit taking it, my disordered sleep pattern continued for about another month. Much more research needs to be done with this drug.

By Anonymous (cpe-124-177-137-119.qld.bigpond.net.au - 124.177.137.119) on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 1:41 am: Edit Post

What are the doses for lariam given in the US as malarial chemoprophilaxis ?

By Sam (pc10.lake.ces.purdue.edu - 204.52.57.240) on Friday, November 30, 2007 - 11:34 am: Edit Post

I would like to know the long term effects of taking Larium for over two years. I was a PCV in Mauritania, West Africa. Ever since 2001 I have experienced dysthymia (chronic depression) and anxiety. The Larium never caused the psychotic delusions or suicidal thoughts in me, but I don't feel like I did before my pre-service in 1999.


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