Delta-South Richmond
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John Cummins, M.P. Delta-South Richmond |
News Release |
Backgrounder on Mefloquine
Comparison of Adverse Events Associated with Use of Mefloquine...as Antimalarial Prophylaxis", British Medical Journal, Volume 313, page 525, August 31, 1996
Neuropsychiatric adverse events were significantly more common in travellers taking mefloquine. In all, 333 neuropsychiatric adverse events were reported by 1212 travellers taking mefloquine...
There is significant excess of adverse neuropsychiatric events of intermediate degrees of severity associated with the use of mefloquine...This finding may also explain the discrepant findings between earlier studies and clinical experience.
The main concern about mefloquine relate to reports of adverse neurological and psychiatric events. These include anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, nightmares, hallucinations, and in a few people, overt psychotic attacks or convulsions.
Fatal Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Associated With Mefloquine Antimalarial Prophylaxis, by S.R. McBride, The Lancet, January 11, 1997
Lariam, Mefloquine, Antimalarial Agent, Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialities: The Canadian Reference for Health Professionals, Thirty-Second Edition, 1997
Side effects of mefloquine include gastrointestinal disturbance, cardiac conduction abnormalities, leucopenia, neurological disturbance, and recently highlighted psychiatric disturbance. Cases of erythema multiforme and Stevenson-Johnson syndrome have also been reported.
We report a fatal case of toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with mefloquine prophylaxis...We believe this case of fatal epidermal necrolysis in a previously fit and healthy 6-year-old was due to mefloquine.
Severity of Side Effects of Malaria Prophylaxis, by Anne Walling, American Family Physician, Volume 55, page 290, January 1997.
Overall the most frequently reported adverse events are nausea, vomiting, dizziness or vertigo, loss of balance, somnolence, sleep disorders (insomnia, abnormal dreams), loose stools or diarrhoea, and abnormal pain.
Doctor Warns Against Drug For Malaria, by V. Macdonald and F. Langan, Telegraph (London), April 20, 1997.
[C]oncerns have been growing about its potential adverse neuropsychiatric effects. The incidence of these adverse effects of mefloquine is unknown, but patients have experienced a range of problems including anxiety, depression, insomnia, hallucinations and even overt psychotic reactions requiring hospitalization.
A widely prescribed malaria drug has unacceptable side-effects, according to a leading doctor at the Ministry of Defence.
Dr. Ashley Croft, an expert in public health medicine, has spent two years reviewing Lariam. His results, expected to be published shortly, cast doubt on trials which led to it being licensed.
The Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad, based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which undertook the original study on the mental effects of Lariam, is advising patients to take an alternative drug.
(JAG Knew the Truth About Mefloquine) May 7, 1997
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For more information, please contact:
John Cummins, M.P.
(613) 992-2957 or (604) 940-804