Lariam Canada
Description
Lariam is a well-known medication used to treat malaria, which is a widespread disease caused by certain parasites. It works by interfering with their growth in red blood cells. Typically, malaria is caused by a mosquito's bite. This drug is also taken to prevent the disease.
Recommendations
It's necessary to take Lariam regularly to prevent malaria effectively. Use regular doses after the main meal and drink enough water. If you vomit after taking this medicine, take another full dose. To prevent malaria, take it once a week before entering any location where this disease is common. Keep using Lariam during your stay and for 1 month after leaving this area. To treat malaria, take regular doses according to the directions given by doctors. If you use this drug for a long time, you require regular blood tests and vision checks. However, there's no 100% effective medication to prevent and treat malaria.
Precautions
Some people who undergo this treatment have sudden nerve and psychiatric issues. These serious effects may last for a few months or even years after stopping the intake of Lariam. Don't start this treatment if you have any possible allergic reactions. You should be careful and inform doctors if you have such serious medical conditions as anxiety, depression, seizures, psychosis, mental illnesses, liver problems, heart diseases, diabetes, blood clotting or bleeding disorders.
It's not clearly known if the intake of Lariam causes any harm to unborn babies, but it can pass into breast milk and affect nursing babies. That's why pregnant and nursing women should be very cautious with its use. This medication isn't intended to be used by babies who are younger than 6 months old. Lariam may impair your reactions and thinking, so be careful when performing such activities as driving.
Drug Interactions
There are many medications that may potentially interact with Lariam, so you need to tell your physician about any other drugs that you're taking, including over-the-counter and prescription meds, vitamins and minerals. Drug interactions are dangerous because they can increase the risk of serious side effects and affect the effectiveness of your treatment. Don't take Lariam along with seizure meds, antidepressants, other drugs to treat mental diseases, blood pressure or heart meds, live vaccines, and tuberculosis drugs. Avoid taking quinine, chloroquine, and quinidine while undergoing this treatment. Don't take ketoconazole and halofantrine along with Lariam and 15 weeks after stopping its intake because this combination can be life-threatening.
Side Effects
There are many drugs that cause unwanted side effects, and Lariam is no different. You need to go to the hospital right after experiencing such signs of allergies as severe swelling, hives, and difficulty breathing. Stop taking it and get medical help if you have any severe side effects, including severe depression, anxiety, sudden headaches, dizziness, problems with coordination, loss of balance, ringing in ears, hallucinations, paranoia, unusual behaviors, confusion, and suicidal thoughts.
Stop using Lariam and call your physician if you have such symptoms as seizures, lightheadedness, blurred vision, dark urine, loss of appetite, itching, jaundice, clay-colored stools, upper stomach pain, unusual tiredness, chest pain, uneven heartbeats, and shortness of breath. Mild side effects include muscle pain, fever, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rash.