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Mefloquine

Drug Class: Commonly Known As: Category:
Antimalarial Adult, Children

Mefloquine - What is it for

​Mefloquine is a medication used to prevent malaria.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite (Plasmodium species), which can spread to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

Mefloquine - Additional Information

To prevent malaria, you may protect yourself against mosquito bites by

  • Wearing long-sleeved clothing and long trousers between sunset and sunrise.
  • Applying insect repellent containing more than 20% DEET (N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) for adults or 10% and less DEET for children on exposed skin. DEET is a common active ingredient in mosquito repellents.
  • Using mosquito coils in the room at night.
  • Sleep with mosquito nets around your bed, with the net edges tucked under the bed or sleep in a screened room.
  • Spray insecticide where mosquitos may rest. Mosquito larvae survive well in clear, slow-flowing streams.
  • Avoid going to an area where malaria is common.

Following these guidelines and medication does not mean that you will not get malaria. If you have a fever or experience chills between 1 week and up to 1 year after your return, you should seek medical attention. Inform the doctor that you have been to a country where malaria is common. Malaria can be effectively treated if discovered early. A delay in treatment may result in serious health problems.

 

 

  • Updated on 30 September 2019
  • Article contributed by PSS National Medication Information Workgroup , PSS National Medication Information Workgroup
The information provided is not intended as medical advice. Terms of use. Information provided by SingHealth

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