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Lariam Side Effects

Potential Lariam side effects range from benign annoyances to lethal psychiatric disturbances. Many people never suffer from any Lariam side effects at all, while others have severe problems with the anti-malaria drug. There is no way to predict which Lariam side effects, if any, a person will experience, which makes it all the more important for the drug manufacturers to fully disclose all possible Lariam side effects so that users can decide whether or not they are comfortable with the risks associated with this drug.

Recently, the drug's manufacturers (Hoffman-La Roche) began including a warning in the list of Lariam side effects, stating that the anti-malaria drug could lead to suicidal behavior. Previously, the warning label only mentioned "suicidal ideation" among the possible Lariam side effects, neglecting to include that some users of Lariam have not only thought about suicide but have actually attempted it, in some cases, successfully.

More common Lariam side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, vertigo, sleep disorders, ringing in the ears, headache, muscle cramps, abnormal dreams, emotional instability, insomnia, panic attacks, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, paranoid reactions, convulsions, visual impairment, numbness, rashes, and itching. Some Lariam side effects result from combining the use of quinine or quinidine, including the side effect of cardiac arrest. Around 20 reported suicides and hundreds of cases of depression are considered the result of Lariam side effects, and an ongoing investigation at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is attempting to uncover any existing links between Lariam side effects and an outbreak of domestic killings.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the number of users with serious psychiatric Lariam side effects at around 5 in 100,000. Many experts believe that estimate is very low, and that as many as 25% of all Lariam users experience some Lariam side effects. The same WHO study concluded that between 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 10,000 users will experience serious adverse Lariam side effects.

Currently, the United States Food and Drug Administration is investigating 600 reports of adverse Lariam side effects, half of which mention a psychiatric side effect. Thirteen suicidal thoughts, four attempted suicides and one suicide death are believed to be the result of Lariam side effects, and experts believe that many more cases are left unreported.

If you or a loved one suffers from Lariam side effects, you may wish to contact an attorney to learn more about your rights. Because Lariam side effects can continue for long after the use of the drug has stopped, it is crucial for those individuals who believe that they suffer from Lariam side effects to seek help immediately and to secure their futures.

For more information on Lariam Side Effects, contact us.

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More Lariam Resources

Lariam - Mefloquine hydrochloride. Provides information to help reduce the risk and spread of malaria. Indications and uses, side effects, and safety information.

Lariam (mefloquine) Info - Info on the anti-malarial drug Lariam (mefloquine), posted by a research scientist. Included on this site: an extensive medical research and case study bibliography, bibliography of media coverage, and how to contact the many Lariam Action Groups worldwide.