There are 81 ratings for the drug: LARIAM in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for lariam: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
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1	One-week trip to Rio, Brazil	Mental: panic attacks, severe constant anxiety, anxiety loop thinking, nightmares, depression, suicidal ideation, social anxiety, agoraphobia, anhedonia (lack of interest), thanatophobia (fear of dying), rage, aggression, anger, mood swings, paranoia… Physical: severe insomnia, weight loss (~12kg), weight gain (~20kg) inability to eat, severe fatigue, headache, severe liver pain/gall bladder pain, “toxic feeling”, agitation, sweating, tremor, postural orthostatic tachycardia, faintness, dry eyes, malaise, weakness, tremor, numb limbs… Vestibular Dysfunction: dizziness, loss of balance, vertigo, poor cognition, motion sickness, confused thoughts, jumbled speech, photo-sensitivity, sound sensitivity, “brain fog”, low stress tolerance…	The horrors of Lariam are beyond the comprehension of any friend, family member or medical professional. Those who truly understand are those that have taken and reacted. My story is much like many others; no history of any psychological problems, feeling great and enjoying life. After the 4th tablet I "broke" in March 2009. Collapsed at work with a BPM of 180PM. Then came the long, long, long struggle with trying to regain my sanity, perspective and life. Severe debilitating anxiety consumed me for almost 6 months. After just 4 weeks off work I went back to work, everyday the same, shaking and sweating in the office trying to cope with running my own business, with my friends and colleagues watching in awe and horror. Had to deal with idiotic psychiatrist who put me on 2x different drugs (Pregabalin + Escitalopram) telling me I had an "anxiety disorder". Got myself off these drugs after 6 months and continue to improve with rest, supplements, ayurveda and *time*. Still suffer with thyroid issues (shaking, agitation, tremor), vestibular issues (brain fog) and fatigue, but I am continuing to improve. Lariam completely changed my personality and I have fought to change it back. This drug is Satan's accomplice. It is the worst form of torture and it is a suffering that one shoulders completely alone. I am in the process of setting up a website at lariam.org to help others identify Lariam toxicity and recover from it. I am determined to make a full recovery, a	M	25	4 weeks 250MG 1X W		7/28/2010 Email
1	trip to Guyana to prevent malaria	Felt revved up for a couple of days with some confusion. Then became so sick with flue-like symptoms couldn't get out of bed for a day. Seemed to get better in the morning but that night couldn't sleep because of non-stop indigestion that didn't respond to over-the-counter meds. Quit taking after one dose.	I'd say stay away from this one. It's the worst experience I've ever had on any medicine by far. How the heck it's on the market is beyond me.	M	55	1 weeks standard 1X D		7/27/2010
1	for a mission trip to Africa	Had a severe psychotic episode. Depression, anxiety, nightmares, thoughts of hurting myself, constant crying, fear I was losing my mind. Had to cut my trip short. Got Valium form a doctor in Africa to make the trip home. The pharmacist asked why Americans are still taking this drug because it drives people crazy. Still having depression and anxiety attacks weeks later.	Do Not take this drug. Others are much safer and a lot less expensive.	M	21	3 weeks 1X W		7/16/2010
1	trip to vietnam	I only took one Larium tablet, later that day i experienced fatigue, strange thoughts dizziness and confusion, 6 weeks later i am still suffering from severe headaches and fatigue, loss of concentration, i went from being an active outgoing person to just going to work and coming home really tired and dizzy, unmovitivated and left with no energy to do anytthing but sit around.	it should be banned	M	31	1 days 1 tablet 1X D		7/13/2010
1	Trip to Kenya	Within days of arriving in Kenya my body became one enourmous blister. From head to foot every inch was covered with bubbles of blisters. For the first week I had to keep my entire body covered and remain in the shade. I stopped taking it and things subsided quite quickly. It does say on the packet that a skin reaction is a side effect.	There have to be better drugs.	M	70	4 weeks 30 1X D		7/13/2010
1	Malaria	Depression, suicidal tendencies, sleep problems, haluciniations, memory loss	I took it in 1998 for a trip to South America. Started having sleepless nights, memory loss and getting terrifying hallucinations but didn't even consider it to be conneceted because I wasn't warned about any side effects by the doctor. Then developed depression and spent hours lying in a dark room feeling like killing myself. Was prescribed Prozac, but the doctor still didn't mention any connection to Larium. It wasn't until I mentioned to a friend who told me about Larium that I checked on the web and started ticking off the side effects that I realised what had happened. Larium nearly destroyed my marriage. If I owned a gun I would be dead by now. The serious side effects lasted at leats six or seven years but I still get the odd hallucination and my short term memory is still affected. DON'T TAKE IT. USE SOMETHING ELSE	M	44	1X D		7/9/2010
1	Anti-malarial	I took this drug during a month long trip to East Africa in 1999 per recommendation from my doctor and I have never been the same since. Unbelieveable anxiety, shaking, confusion, paranoia, delusions, manic episodes, the list goes on....	It took me 5 years to recover 90% from this drug. I cannot believe that this drug is still on the market. Remember, this drug was produced to prevent malaria for the purposes of keeping soldiers in the field, so if they "lose a few" to side effects, it's better than a brigade out of action from malaria. This drug is poison. I will never be the same. Do not take this drug.	M	42	3 weeks standard 1X D		7/1/2010 Email
1	Avoid Malaria	Confusion, loss of balance, loss of memory, inability to sleep,"black outs"slurred speech. sicidal ideation and attempted suiced, severe debilitating depression, lack of coordination.These are just a few of the horrors I still live with. Would I EVER recommend Lariam? NEVER. NEVER!NEVER!		F	70	7 weeks 1X D		6/28/2010 Email
1	Borneo	Dizzyness, Headaches, Vivid Dreams, Panic Attacks	I would not recommend this to anyone! I didn't finish my full course as it made me feel so weak and dizzy. 6 weeks after stopping the tablet I'm still suffering with dizzyness and headaches and my dreams are so vivid they keep me awake most nights. Ask your doctor about alternatives!	F	25	3 weeks 1X W		6/25/2010
1	Work in Africa	Facial numbness and tingling (as if recovering from a strong anesthesia at the dentist's)	I decided to give Lariam a try, as I did not want to take anti-malaria pills every day for six months. After the first pill I was OK for about four days, but then the facial numbness and tingling began. I switched to doxy after that one week.	F	32	1 weeks 1X W		6/21/2010
1	As a preventitive	Traumatic brain injury (TBI) with permanent injury to the vestibular system and to the brain centers that filter out stimuli. Acute insomnia, major depression, and brain seizures.	As a 30-year federal agent in the peak of physical and psychological condition, I took this drug as a prophylaxis. It is a chemical poison whose creators, the researchers at the Walter Reed Army Research Institute, fully admit that they have NO IDEA what the drug does inside the human brain. Those of us who have suffered its horrific toxicity know well that it causes permanent damage to multiple areas of the brain. Avoid it at all costs as a malaria preventative and choose either MALARONE or DOXYCLYCLINE.	M	63	9 weeks 30 1X W		6/19/2010 Email
1	Required for work	I experienced insomnia, paranoia, mania, psychoses, and have vivid dreams.	Do not take this drug. It is poison.	M	42	140 days 250 mg 1X W		6/17/2010 Email
1	Doctor prescribed for anti-malaria	Insomnia, nausea, headache, burning in the brain, noise in the brain, anxiety, depression, body alternating between cold and hot temperatures, body drying-up and scaling, visual aberration, lights too bright, body aches.	I am much better now. It has taken nearly 7 months of treatment using extensive alternative therapy - Ayurveda medicines, Yoga, Pranayam breathing, body massage, Chinese medicine, accupunture, etc. My GP (doctor) and the neurologist here in Australia were unable to determine the cause.	M	54	9 weeks 250mg 1X W		6/17/2010 Email
1	Vacation in East Africa	Fatigue, brain fog, speech problems, vivid dreams, suicidal thoughts	I was supposed to take for 8 weeks; stopped at 3 and symptoms are fading after missing 2 doses. Fatigue: felt so sleepy I thought I might fall out of my chair. Brain fog: thinking was slow and deliberate. Speech: occasional stuttering. Dreams: one night of frantic, fast-paced dreams after stopping the lariam. Suicidal thoughts on one day that concerned me.	M	44	3 weeks 1X W		2/18/2010
1	Liberia West Africa 2006	impaired speech. extreme nightmares. dizziness. depression. loss of libido. short and lomg term memory loss. loss of concentration. hypertension.	4 years later and i am still suffering with the side effects of taking lariam.forced to take this drug by the military while on operational deployment. this drug has really damaged my health and it will be something i will have to live with for the rest of my life. STAY AWAY FROM LARIAM!!!!!!	M	27	8 months 250mg 1X W		2/17/2010 Email History
1	travel	sick dizzy panic vivid dreams health and wellbeing destroyed going on 10 years	do NOT take this crazy drug it will ruin your life .	M	47	2 months 1X W		2/4/2010 Email
2	Two weeks in Uganda	Recurring Nightmares/Night terrors	My advice would be to avoid this medication unless there's no safer alternative. I took some for a few weeks for a fortnight trip to Uganda when I was 11 and I quicly began having terrible recurring nightmares nearly every day which lasted for at least 8 months to the point where I felt quite traumatised by them. Every night I would dream that I had fallen onto subway tracks as a train was arriving and was paralysed so I couldn't get up off the tracks, waking up as the train crushed me!	M	11	4 weeks		2/3/2010
1	Goshen College SST	Catatonia, heard unreal voices saying morbid things, convulsions (head jerked spastically while the rest of my body could not move) eyelids fluttered nonstop uncontrollably...and more!	Lariam (mefloquine) is the only antimalarial that has been the direct cause of homicides, suicides and torture. As little as one dose can cause permanent brain damage. Take another antimalarial, not this one. For more information, visit www.lariaminfo.org and/or the Facebook page Mefloquine (Lariam) Stinks!	F	34	3 weeks		1/22/2010
1	Holiday to East Africa	Still ill more than 10 years on. Balance disorder, brain stem damage, tinnitus, insomnia, anxiety, memory impairment, confusioon, suicide ideation, chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, vision problems, hypotension.	I received huge help and support from Lariam-Mefloquine Action. They are a fantastic group and their website is: www.lariaminfo.org They have a large amount of research and support material available online. If you suspect you are having/had and adverse Lariam reaction, I would strongly recommend contacting them.	M	40	8 weeks		12/7/2009
1	malaria prophylaxis		I have not taken Larium myself but have collected reports from dozens of friends and acquaintances over the years, after a friend of mine had a month-long psychotic episode in India on Larium, thinking he was Jesus and that he had caused the great earthquake in Gujarat. About 80 or 90% of people I've talked with have had nightmares, panic attacks, hallucinations or psychotic episodes on Larium. Don't even consider taking it. The fact this is still on the shelves is insane.	M	33	14 days		12/6/2009
1	Business Trip	Permanent adverse side-effects such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, aggression, nightmares, insomnia, brutal and daily headaches!!!!!!! This has been ongoing since September 2000.	Lariam or Mefloquine is like playing Russian roulette. No question it can help prevent malaria but it may also destroy your life. Roche Pharmacueticles updated the drug literature 4 times since I took this drug. Little too late.....	M	41	7 weeks		11/4/2009
1	Prevent Maleria	Loss of appetite, Weird Dreams, Depression, Stomach Cramps, IBS, Anxiety	Took Lariam on the advice of my doctor to prevent Maleria. First dose I was fine, in the second dose I started having Low moods and weird dreams, by the thrid dose my stomach was terrible, and my mood was extremely low. Friends constantly asked me if i was depressed as they noticed i was not myself. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION... FIND AN ALTERNATIVE!	M	26	3 weeks		10/26/2009
5	Trip to Kenya	None	I suffered from severe vestibulodynia for two years, after going on this medication I noticed it was about 70% better, thought it was unrelated until I came back from my trip and went off it, and the horrible pain came back. I am not going off this medication ever, I feel like it has saved my life. Ladies, if you suffer from any kind of vulvodynia take this medication!	F	25	4 months		10/17/2009
1	Anti-Malarial	Diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite,stomach cramps,IBS, possible colitis, suicidal thoughts,night sweats,paranonia, terrible shakes/tremors,vision problems,mouth ulcers,weak and tired.	I took lariam for 1.5 months for a trip to West Africa and based on multiple visits to the hospital when I returned,CAT Scan, possible stomach surgery,tremors and a complete loss of appetite I will NEVER travel to a place that requires an anti-malarial again. I had to try both Malarone and Lariam and neither worked. I feel like I have been permanently damaged and pray that I get back to the active/healthy person I use to be. I am depressed and have awful thoughts. One night I wrote down things that just past through my mind and reading it later appeared psychotic. I do not regret Africa, I will always regret taking these drugs.	F	40	35 days		8/16/2009
1	Anti Maleria	After posting a number of years ago on here and having so many people contact me for help on combating the side effects of Lariam I decided to do something about how I won my battle with Larium. The side is aimed at all of you out there who are suffering from the horrid side effects this drug can have on you.	I hope I can continue helping others out there and spread my word that there is a way to return to normal after taking Lariam. http://www.lariam.org - Free Lariam Side Effects & Help	M	33	1 weeks		7/25/2009 Email
1	1 year in central Africa	vomiting, weight loss, hair loss, paranoia, extreme anxiety leading to panic attacks, depression, mood-swings, fear of people, fear of going outside, fear of death, dizziness, total loss of energy or the will to do anything with my day	Like many, I had never before had an anxiety attack, been depressed, paranoid, anti-social, anything, before taking this drug. Thankfully I recovered completely (it took about a month) after I stopped taking it. NOT recommended... the risks are too great.	F	24			7/2/2009
1	Malaria for a trip to Peru and Boli	sleeplessness, nightmares, memory loss, confusion	I took Larium 9 years ago on a trip to Peru and Bolivia. I am still affected by the side effects. After the third week I felt like my brain was plugged into the electric socket in the wall. I was unable to sleep for 5 nights in a row. I had severe short term memory loss. I was very depressed and emotional (due to not having slept for 5 nights I would imagine). To this day I have short term memory problems that I never had prior to taking this drug. I CAN'T EMPHASISE STRONGLY ENOUGH HOW SCARY THIS DRUG WAS FOR ME. I never had any psychological or memory problems prior to taking the drug. The sleeplessness and bad dreams went away after 2 or so weeks. The memory loss has never gone away. If I could sue someone or joing a class action lawsuit I would. Again, I have never been a hypochondriac, had psychological problems, or felt this strongly about any other drug or doctors treatment before.	M	40	3 weeks		7/2/2009 Email
5	African Travel	None whatsoever.	My wife and I have taken courses of Larium for 15 years at least for all our Travel to Malarial area. We have never had any doubts as to its efficacy and have never suffered any of the 'famous' side effects. This is NOT to play down those that have had problems, but the same can be said of Malarone. Many many people of my aquaintence have taken Larium without any problems at all. There is no doubt that some people are affected but many many more are not. As to the comments regarding not taking whilst pregnant, and contraception whilst on Larium, this is just common sense and clearly marked on the leaflets. ANY drug that goes into the blood stream will of course pass to a child in the womb and the same applies to Alcohol and Nicotine. My suggestion to those asking is "try a tablet" well ahead of your trip and this will give the opportunity to switch if you are one of the unlucky ones that do suffere a reaction.	M	70	15 years		5/25/2009
1	travel to Brazil	dizziness, crazy dreams, vertigo, anxiety, mood swings	It sounds like either Malarone or doxycyclin (spelling?) would have been MUCH better.	F	31	5 weeks		5/7/2009
4	5 month stay in Ghana	Light nausea at times, usually just after taking the pill.	Had no effect on me, and wanted to add this comment for all the people still thinking about taking this drug. It works fine for many, and is bad for a few... it seems however that it is only the bad stories you hear.. Take it with caution, and follow your doctors instructions!!	M	25	6 months		4/2/2009
1	Anti Maleria - March 1999	Impending doom, dread, anxiety, paranoia, fear of death, nightmares, night sweats, depression & Nervous breakdown.	DOT NOT TAKE IT - It took 10 years of my life and have been on Anti depressants ever since that 5 day break. I changed my medication 2 months ago and by chance the side effects have finally gone. I suggest anyone who has had a similar experience for over 6 months should ask their GP / Doctor if they could try Cipralex 10 mg per day. It has finally given me my life back. Also I had a nervous breakdown soon after I took Lariam. I would gladly trade it for the slight chance of living with malaria 1000 times over.	M	33	2 weeks		4/2/2009 Email
1	Holiday to Turkey	Zombie like state,verbal response to questions but no physical movement, short term memory loss	Wife and I were prescribed Lariam as an anti malari drug for our holiday to Turkey in 1998. Thats when our lives changed for ever. I was not affected as far as I can tell but my wife was. While on holiday she became lathargic and slow. When we got home she was like a zombie. She seemed to stare into space and only speak when spoken to. I would say lets go out and she would reply yes but would not move. I would say come on and she would say I'm comming but just sit there. Took her to hospital where a brain scan revealed a problem on the front of her brain. Later a biopsy revealed the swelling of the blood vessels at the front of the brain which was pushing on the brain. The diagnosis was Cerebral Vasculitice. Doctors said it was probably caused by Larium but could not be 100% sure. At the time I did some research and found other stories related to Larium side effects. I cannot belive that people are still being subjected to Larium in 2009.She had to take very strong medication as well as other tablets to reduce the inflamation. She was not allowed to become pregnant whilst taking these medicines. We have been to hell and back and come through ok. Although I wish it never happened, my wife is lucky it was not worse. She has to take tablets for the rest of her life but its near as damn normal as we can make it. She holds a full time job and is doing OK. PLEASE DONT TAKE THIS DRUG AND IF A DOCTOR RECOMENDS IT, ASK - WOULD YOU TAKE IT?	F	43	14 days		3/16/2009
1	Malaria prevention	Everything on the insert, except suicide. Also, some which are not mentioned - see additional comments:	Took it in 2003 and found myself in a deep, dark pit that took years to crawl out of. In addition to the all usual symptoms, tinnitus, anxiety, panics attacks, etc, my emotions disappeared (except terror - that stayed). I guess you cannot imagine what it must be like not having emotions, until you experience it. And then pain disappeared. I could injure myself without feeling it. The feeling of impending doom all the time. Feeling of there not being enough light. I could look directly into the sun and not feel pain - not feel the impulse to look away. Erectile dysfunction for years. Zero appetite - food tasted like cardboard. Had to force-feed myself. Had to pretend to my family that I was OK and had feelings for them - too terrified to tell them what was actually happening. It was like living in the worst horror movie you can imagine. Hormones went bezerk. I'm sure my hypothalamus is fried.	M	47	21 days		3/15/2009
1	nepal service trip	dizziness, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, low blood pressure, drowsiness, loss of appetite, weight loss, residual symptoms 5 months later, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hyperactivity	Using this drug was one of the worst decisions of my life. Do not take it.	F	22	5 weeks		2/22/2009
1	Trip to Pakistan	Hair lose, rage, social proplems, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness.	There are three other options for Malaria prevention. I would put this drug at the bottom of the list.	M	38	1 months		2/5/2009
1	Charity work Africa	Anxiety, depression, agitation,facial spasms, loss of energy and motivation for 1 1/2 years, hallucianations, screaming in sleep, nerve pains in skin, suicidal thoughts	I had never had any of these symptoms until after taking this drug. The first occasion I took it I was more or less ok, but subsequent trips the symptoms appeared. After experiencing hallucinations, screaming in sleep, pains in limbs and chest, and extreme agitation, I visited a doctor in Uganda who immediately identified the problem - having had many other patients with similar experiences - and instructed me to stop the drug straightaway. Nervous problems in skin, and periodic hallucinations continued for about 8 months. Loss of energy and motivation for about a year and a half. Periods of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts still continue six years later. Although I have friends who have had no adverse effects to taking Larium, on the basis of my experience I would advise against it completely - there are satisfactory alternatives. I have used Malarone twice without side effects.	M	51	4 months		1/22/2009 Email
1	prophylaxis	paranoia, hallucinations, vivid dreams, nightmares, severe anxiety leading to panic attacks and social anxiety, short term memory loss, confusion	It took me 6 months after I stopped using the medicine before I began feeling relatively better. I still have trouble with social anxiety. Please avoid this medicine as much as you can! There are alternatives!	F	29	8 weeks		1/17/2009
1	traveling to Tanzania	vertigo, dizziness, muscle pain, sensitive skin, lightheadedness, nightmares	took the once-a-week pill variety. The night of the first pill, had terrible terrible nightmares. Felt fine for rest of the week, but the day I took my 2nd pill, I started to feel lightheaded and had spells of vertigo. Then developed a patch of sensitive skin on my stomach that almost felt like a burn- a couple days later it spread to my side and back, and my back muscle is very sore. Almost a week later, and I have developed a rash on my side. This medication is awful, and the dr. said i will probably continue to have these side effects for another month or so, even though i only took 2 pills.	F	23	2 times		12/20/2008
1	Studying abroad in southern India	Mood swings, severe nausea, dizzyness, trouble concentrating, terrible nightmares, general depression	I took mefloquine for two months before it occurred to me that the mental changes I was going through were related to it (I had credited it to the stress from culture shock). I stopped taking the drug and after one month - guess what? - I got malaria. The entire experience was horrific and frightening - DO NOT go without an antimalarial. If side effects are bad, get another pill abroad, or, if healthcare there is questionable, come prepared with another prescription ready. Malaria is treatable in most cases, but is can also be debilitating, terrifying and fatal. I was seriously ill for months but still feel incredibly fortunate to be healthy now. Not everyone is so lucky. Take the advantage of having access to antimalarials.	F	21	2 months		12/7/2008
1	TRIP TO KENYA	Took the first and only pill in the morning. Severe panic attack ensued accompanied by the sensation of a black cloud coming down around me with a feeling of gloom and despair which persisted for months. It was seven years ago but looking back feel changed as a result. I now get bouts of depression and cry easily. Give Africa a miss.		M	61	1 days		12/3/2008 Email
1	Peace Corps	pressure in brain, convulsions, anhedonia, anxiety, severe depression, fatigue, suicidal ideations, loss of desire to do ANYTHING AT ALL	I prepared to go to Africa for PC for over a year. They waited until the day we got on the plane to give us our first Lariam pill. No history of anxiety/depression. By the time we landed in Africa, I had social anxiety/anhedonia and could not feel any emotion besides a foreboding feeling of dread. I had anxiety every day, was in tears by the afternoon, and had pressure in my brain and intense body convulsions at night that sometimes woke me up. I could have switched to the daily stuff but the symptoms were so bad that I couldn't stay there another day. I came home and had to keep taking the Lariam for a month (I stopped after 2 weeks). Some symptoms have decreased except anhedonia. It is difficult not to contemplate suicide. I hope I get back to normal very soon, this has ruined everything for me. DO NOT RISK YOUR SANITY BY TAKING THIS DRUG. PEACE CORPS SHOULD NOT RISK VOLUNTEERS' HEALTH BY GIVING OUT THIS DRUG.	F	25	1.5 months		11/21/2008
1		Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, confusion	I toke two or three of these pills four years ago and I turned crazy for three days. Will not take it again, it should be banned. Take Malarone instead, it had no side effects on me.	M	34	3 days		11/3/2008
1	malaria prophylaxis	Seizures, suicidal ideation, psychosis, vestibular disorder (i.e. brain damage), unable to work for 1.5 years.	I had no history of mental illness and so was prescribed this drug. It's a mystery why some react and others are fine, but it has been contraindicated for women on the Pill and anybody who drinks any alcohol. If the liver is at all compromised when the drug hits, it can quickly build up to a toxic level in the brain.	F	37	3 weeks		10/28/2008 Email
1	military deployment to Pakistan	clinical depression, cry easily, trouble sleeping, bad dreams, vivid dreams to seep into the real world for a few moments after waking, never feeling rested after sleeping, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, short-term memory degradation, loss of libido, short temper, shortness of breath, irritable bowels, reduced resistance to stress.	My symptoms started almost immediately. I mistook it as a response to a stressful environment. About a year after I returned from Pakistan, I was diagnosed with clinical depression, which still plagues me 5 years later. Welbutrin helps quite a bit, but doesn't take care of all my symptoms. Recently, due to unexplained weight gain (20 lbs in 6 months while working out 3xweek), pain in legs, numbness in feet, dry scalp and skin, and brittle nails, I've been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. The Synthroid seems to be helping, so hopefully the right dosage will eliminate those symptoms. I am very angry that I was prescribed a substance that was known to have adverse side effects, and that come to know after the fact, I was in an even higher risk group, being that I was female and taking an oral contraceptive. Due to this horrible drug, I will be on medication for the rest of my life to control the depression and hypothyroidism that it has caused, and struggling with the symptoms that m	F	35	8 months		7/16/2008 Email
1	Malaria prevention	brown acid style hallucinations, nightmares continuing into waking up, loud tinnitus, nausea, rage, crazy behavior	My wife and I both had serious problems during and after taking this drug. My wife recently had a Grand Mal seizure to add to the list. I will never take this ever again and the fact that it continues to be prescribed is insane. It is not prescribed in other countries and anyone who has used it knows what I am talking about. It is so obvious that I think it is a conspiracy (another symptom? I can't tell anymore.)	M	29	3 months		6/3/2008
1	Military Deployment to S. America	Vivid dreams, sleeplessness, neuropathy.	I took Lariam for approximately three months during which time I experienced some sleep disturbances. The worst of it was and still is (3-1/2 years later), is the neuropathy. About a month after starting on the medication, I experienced shooting pains in my body, muscle fasciculations and tingling and buzzing sensations throughout my body. Like I said, these nerve disturbances still exist today 3-1/2 years later. I have every reason to believe it is permanent. Please explore other options for malaria prophylaxis. There are safer alternatives to Lariam. This drug should certainly not be your first choice. I'd go so far as to say it should be banned.	M	29	90 days		4/12/2008 Email
1	Trip to cambodia	headaches, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, dizziness, noise ringing in ears, difficulty concentrating, memory loss	It has been over three months, and I still experience most of these side effects. I only took one tablet.	F	23	1 times		3/15/2008 Email
5	short africa trip	Please take some kind of drug if you are visiting an area where there is concern...These people on here that say they would rather get malaria and be treated?!?!?!?	A friend of the family recently returned from Africa (Ghana) and did not take the pill...She is sadly now in the hospital for the 4th week and has undergone 4 surgeries. She has lost ALL 4 limbs and they are not sure that she won't lose more. It is NOT better to get malaria. Don't be dumb...take SOME kind of prophylactic malaria drug...she was there 1 WEEK and now she has lost both her arms and legs,not to mention what it has done to the rest of her body...Please don't be crazy...take the meds!	F	35			3/11/2008
1	treatement	bad blood circulation in arms and legs trouble concentrating		M	27			3/7/2008
1	Trip to Kenya	Insomnia, depression, anxiety	Whole family took this drug, Mum and I both effected, Mum was tearfull, paranoid, was told to come off & hasnt had any ill effects, me on the other hand, well i didnt know, any of this till months afterward, had months of the worst depression and years of insomnia, still have bad nights now, 7 years later!!! Short term memory isnt great and only realised reading this that I can trace it back to then, depression isnt so bad, but still get low days, DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG, SHOULD BE BANNED!!!	F	36	5 weeks		3/6/2008
1	Lagos-Nigeria	Dizziness, Cramps,after 3 weeks loss of appetite, nausea started at week 5 of taking the tablets, vomiting, stomach upset, feelings of disconnection. Stomach is still upset and still experiencing dizziness several weeks after stopping taking them.	Will not take again	F	23	42 days		2/17/2008
1	trek in Africa	sleeplessness, wierd dreams,was very teary the day after taking it,became a total basket case	I stopped taking this hideous drug after three weeks when I realised what it was doing to me. I had six more months in Africa and was prepared to get malaria and treat it than suffer this drug (thankfully I didn't get it) My trip was twelve years ago and I have been an insomniac ever since! This drug should not be available to ANYONE!	F	26	3 days		1/26/2008
1	Peace Corps	facial convulsions/muscle spasms with spaciness; panic attacks.	I took Lariam for about a month while I was in the Peace Corps. I stopped because I experienced facial spasms/convulsions for a number of hours combined with spaciness and panic. They switched me to doxycycline, but about once a month after that point I would have seizures again. Of course, Peace Corps maintained this was all psychosomatic (though I had traveled a great deal before and never had experienced anything remotely like it.) Even now, 5-1/2 years later, I'll have similar episodes. Lariam should not be on the market, let alone privileged as an anti-malarial drug of choice.	F	30	1 months		1/15/2008
1	Lived in India 1 year	Totally disabling anxiety and panic attacks, insomnia - very very long term effects. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG !	If you want to lose your mind then take this medication. There are many alternatives. I have travelled back to India many times afterwards and have NEVER taken anything after this horrible experience - I would FAR PREFER to get malaria when travelling and in fact, when you are in places like India the local docs are very skilled at recognizing malaria right away with first symptoms and very effective treatment. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG, DON'T EVEN RISK IT !!	F	40	4 months		1/11/2008
1	trip to Africa	sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, feeling that I wasn't "in my body"	I was warned about this drug and ignored advice. Take MALARONE instead! That said, the rest of my family was fine on it. If you're suffering from bad side effects, I recommend acupuncture--it helped jump-start my body so I could get back to normal.	F	38	8 days		12/16/2007
4	trip to gambia	just taking larium for the third time in 2 years very lucky no side effects unlike other travellers on other tablets		F	46	3 times		10/29/2007
1	Anti Malarial	hallucination, dreams, anxiety attacks, crazy thoughts,	NEVER, NEVER take this pollutant!	M	25	2 weeks		10/19/2007
1	military deployment to Afghanistan	I had to run for a toilet the moment it hit my stomach. I failed to do research on this pill before or during my deployment so didn't recognize two other effects until recently.	I was in Afghansitan for 23 months with the Army and religiously took my pill every "Mefloquine Monday." I thought the length of my deployment caused the anxiety that led to sleeplessness. As I was in my mid-40s I was aware of short term memory loss and was concerned that this was the onset of Alzheimer's. That scares me. I've been back now 19 months as a contractor and haven't taken pill one. I wish I had read the side effects and risked getting malaria, especially that the area I was/am in is not even a threat area. Malaria can be treated, but the short term memory loss concerns the hell out of me. Lesson learned: always research what others prescribe to you and carefully weigh your alternatives.	M	47	23 months		10/16/2007 Email
1	Trip to India	shortness of breath, cardiovascular irregularities, chest pains, dizziness, gastrointestinal disturbances, sensitivity to light, burning/tingling feeling in hands, chills, extreme fatigue	Can you believe it that I took just 1 pill and after 9 months, I still have bad gastrointestinal disturbances and fatigue. It has been the longest 9 months of my life. There are alternatives, so do not take this voodoo drug.	M	40	1 days		9/28/2007
1	Anti malarial	1st time was fine, but 2 years later took it again and totally lost my marbles. Any drink apart from water made me sick and i was in such a daze that although i managed to phone the doctor i forgot why i had called them - all this after just 1 tablet. Within a week i was fine - i think, although my short term memory is still rubbish.	Do not take it!!!!!!	M	27	1 days		9/27/2007
1	malaria prevention	extreme dizziness all the time, weakness in hands and legs, depression, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, anxiety, panic attacks	i'd never experienced any of this until after taking lariam. now almost 2 years later, i'm still suffering the same adverse effects of this medication. the damage seems to be permanent in some cases.	F	26	3 months		9/23/2007
1	anti-malarial	Short-term memory loss, depression, speech problems	I took lariam for 2 months while working in Sierra Leone in 2001. I was given no alternative. 6 years later I am still suffering with short term memory problems and depression which I never had before I took it. It became a joke while we were out there that everyone had a 'Lariam day' each week when they took their tablet, and on that day no-one really expected them to be able to function properly. (great, except I was in the Army on a military operation!)	F	29	2 months		9/8/2007
1	Travelled to Vanuatu	Brought on PHYSCOSIS!!!!! I have no history of mental illness, and I've now been on anti phsycotics for three months so that i can live a reasonably normal life after only taking two Lariam tablets. Dangerous Stuff!! I can't drive, concerntrate properly and my self confidence has completely deminished.	THIS DRUG SHOULD NOT BE ON THE MARKET!! I only took two tablets and if I wasnt able to get back to Australia and medical attention within 48hours I may not be here today. This drug is dangerous. It gave me delusions, halucinations, horrific dreams, rash, nausia, massive anxiety, completely irrational, uncontrolable thoughts!! Don't take this drug!! please!	F	23	2 weeks		9/7/2007 Email
1	Trip To India	Crazy CRAZY Dreams,Depression, Shortness of breath, severe mood swings, suicidal thoughts [ a friend who went on the trip with me also suffered from terrible nausea and anxiety].	DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE!! I would rather have dealt with malaria and got it treated than to deal with what I went through for months after coming off of this medicine. I have supported groups that are calling for it to be taken off the market. I have no idea why this is approved by the FDA. Also research issues with our military and this drug.	F	20	2 months		9/5/2007
4	Trip to Ghana	The only side effect I experience was bizarre dreams.	I was taking the once a week kind (for 8 weeks), which is more expensive, but seems to have way less side effects, according to both people here and those I traveled with.	F	21	56 days		7/7/2007 Email
1	anti malaria	Fever, shivering, cold night sweats, (would wake up drenched, and ice cold), crazy dreams, intense & continuous head aches, pressure in ears & head, poor balance.	This was after taking 1 pill- which lasts for a week. Wont risk taking another one. I'd rather have Malaria in the city, than experience these effects out in the bush where medicine is not available.	M	31	1 weeks		5/8/2007
1	malaria prophylaxis	Intense anxiety, shortness of breath, depression, insomnia. The insomnia and shortness of breath passed over a period of months. But, I've never dealt with anxiety before I took Lariam and now struggle with it on a daily basis over 8 months after I took my last pill.	You don't know how bad your life can be if you feel you can't even get a complete breath. It saddens me to think that people are blindly given this medicine without being fully informed. By all means, ask your doctor about Doxycycline and Malarone. I was not even made aware of these options and now my life has been affected in ways which I wrestle with several times a day. I haven't given up completely...but am beaten down multiple times a day. If God forbid you take this medicine, do no take it with alcohol. There was no warning on my prescription bottle and it put me in a dangerous situation one night. This pill may some day be viewed as the asbestos of pharmaceuticals.	M	29	8 weeks		4/25/2007
1	anti malarial prophylaxis	hallucinations, anxiety, forgetfulness, depression	This is like taking crazy pills! They made us take this in the Peace Corps and let me tell you, the side effects only get worse over time. I like how they say that only people with history of mental disorders are suseptible, well then most of Peace Corps Volunteers must be mental because so many of us had bad bad side effects from this. I would have to say that atleast 40-50% of us had some sort of psychological reaction to this drug and some of us have lasting effects! DO NOT TAKE THIS EVER! I would personally risk malaria than take this ever again!	F	25	20 months		2/23/2007
1	malaria prophylaxis	paranoia, hallucinations, vivid dreams, severe anxiety leading to panic attacks and social anxiety, motion sickness, dizziness, short term memory loss, confusion	All of the side effects increased the longer I was on Larium and some have subsided since I have stopped but the anxiety, suseptibility to motion sickness and short term memory loss have persisted even years after having stopped taking the medication.	F	27	10 months		2/23/2007
1	anti malaria	panic attacks, shortness of breath, chest pain, insomnia, nightmares. Very restless, lack of concentration	Take the daily anti-malaria pill-doxycyline. I only had 2 lariam pills and I am still feeling the side effects 8 weeks after the last dose. Symptoms are less but are still present	F	38	2 weeks		2/7/2007
1	Lariam	Bad dreams,high blud pressure, insomnia, mood swings and restlesness while taking the drug, after one month of the last pill severe tinnitus started and continue already for 2 months. I do not know if it is permanent or will stop some time. Mood swings, reslesness decreased but continues every other week(already three months)	Do not take this drug. Do not think that you will not be affected. Think that if you are affected how you are going to manage your life, your work and other nice things in your life without your brain . There is no cure the side effects do not stop even after stopping the medication. Do not risk with your life.	M	36	3 weeks		12/13/2006
4	Travel to Africe	None	People may slate this drug but I found it the best by far. It was much easier to take - only once a week as opposed to having to remember to take it at the same time each day. I didn't suffer any side effects at all. I know people do, but until you try it you want know. My suggestion is to try it, if you get a side effect after a couple of weeks then you can swap to another type.	F	20	3 months		11/15/2006
1	Business trip to India	Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Headaches, Memory Issues, Impaired Concentration, Anger and Mood Swings, Suicidal Thoughts.....Took 7 Pills Close to 6 Years Ago (September 2000)and Still Have Same Severe Side Effects. Has Stolen My Life!!!!		M	38	7 weeks		7/22/2006
2	malaria prevention	Not positive if lariam is cause but my 13 year old daughter had grand mal seizure while taking and now has epilepsy. I have neuropathy which I never had before.	Would not take again unless absolutely mandated. Otherwise use insect repellent, coils, nets, clothing to avoid mosquitos.	F	13	6 weeks		5/14/2006 Email
1	Malaria	Depression, suicidal feelings, madness, crying, irrational fears, nightmares, paranoya, racing heart - ended up in ambulance due to this, dependency, insecurity, disorientation, loss of appetite, panic	do not take this drug, it is not worth the risk - you may be fine but as said above i really wouldn't gamble with it, I have always been a stable, happy girl and completely changed whilst taking it. thankfully i'm fine now. please follow my advice!	F	21	2 weeks		5/3/2006
3	malaria prophylaxis	vertigo, dizziness	I took the generic version of mefloquine. No severe side effects except dizziness. Still experiencing occasional nausea after 2 weeks of being off the drug. Ask a travel doctor or nurse about the rate of malaria infection in the place and time of year you're going. A consistent use of DEET and mosquito netting may be better than drugs, especially for winter travel to urban areas. Many countries sell plug-in mosquito coils that work well too.	F	31	3 weeks		12/8/2005
1	Anti-malarial	Suicidal depression. De-personalisation. Wish to die. Brain damage, damage to nerves, sensation, bowels, tinnitus. Paranoia, loss of conatct with reality. HELL.	Welcome to hell. If you want to invite Satan into your home, take Lariam. Mwahahahahahahahahahahaha........	M	43	3 weeks		8/28/2005
1	malaria tablets for travel to india	anxiety and shortness of breath; sleeplessness; depression; acne and weight loss - due to extra anxiety.	the lasting side effects were not apparant until well after i was no longer taking the medication. it's been a year and a half since i've taken this medication and i still have the side effects. it's better to have malaria. 30% of the people taking this medication have side effects. the alternate drug has a 14% rate on side effects (on the drug company's web site) -- not much better!	F	33	20 days		6/14/2005
3	Malaria prophylaxis	bad dreams (for a short period), sleeplessness, anxiety (relatively mild and only after 8-9 weeks of the drug	Tastes terrible!! If you have to take it swallow it quickly!	F	32	9 weeks		6/2/2005
1	malaria prevention	shaking, nausea, loss of balance, night sweats, bad dreams, loss of appetite, confusion, vomiting, sleeplessness	IT SUCKS! DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG! THE SIDE EFFECTS MAY LAST MONTHS!	M	48	4 weeks		4/12/2005 Email
1	Malaria prophylaxis	Severe depression, severe anxiety and panic attacks, anhedonia (20 kg lost not being able to eat), suicidal ideation, shaking, bad co-ordination, loss of body thermoregulation, impotence (may be related to depression & anhedonia), tinnitus, personality change, long term loss of libido (1 year now)	Some people are OK on this drug. I think using it is like playing Russian roulette. Most make it, a few go under. There are much less dangerous anti-malarials around. Don't be tempted to take the chance of ruining your life with Lariam.	M	43	3 weeks		1/2/2005

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Average rating for drug: 1.3. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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