Mefloquine question

[glenn beck]

This is an anti-malarial drug. Visiting Panama(mostly the city) soon, will also be up near Bocas Del Toro, beach and rainforest. I was worried about malaria, but also now reading up on this drug, which was prescribed to me, I am worried about the known side effects. Please give me some insight to those who have taken it before. Also let me know if it is even worth it to where I am going.

 

[Jzero]

I heard the segment on This American Life about David McLean. The memory loss side effect is particularly disturbing. But then malaria is pretty rough in itself. It's a tough call.

 

[glenn beck]

I heard the segment on This American Life about David McLean. The memory loss side effect is particularly disturbing. But then malaria is pretty rough in itself. It's a tough call.

I googled people who traveled there, most say they never used the stuff. I may not then, it is not like I am camping deep in the rainforest, also Panam City has no malaria probelems(where I am mainly staying at).

Guess I will just put on some good old fashioned deet spray

 

[Gibsons]

Doxycycline isn't an option?

Although I think I'd rather risk the side effects of Mefloquine than get a falciparum infection. Maybe keep an eye out for any side effects and reduce dosage if they come up. And of course, get really serious about avoiding mosquitoes at the same time.

 

[kranky]

When I went to Kenya I took it and had no side effects.

 

[ichy]

I took Mefloquine for a couple of years as a kid (father works for the State Department, we lived in Burundi for a couple of years) and several times for shorter periods of time. It never did me any harm other than make me more susceptible to sea-sickness. IMO malaria is a much bigger threat than the side effects of Mefloquine, although there are other prophylactics you can take. Do they still use Chloroquine or has that become totally ineffective?

 

[ichy]

I checked, and a combination of chloroquine and paludrine/proguanil is still a viable alternative option in some areas. Those drugs have their own potential issues as well though.