Public Health
National Academies to Review Long-Term Health Effects of Antimalarial Drugs
Mefloquine is a drug used for the prevention and treatment of malaria, and it is a recommended drug by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Veterans and Veteran advocates have had concerns about some antimalarial drugs, and the brand of the antimalarial drug mefloquine called Lariam® in particular. The brand Lariam® is no longer sold in the United States, although other brands of mefloquine are available. To address concerns, VA has contracted with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the long-term health effects of antimalarial drugs.
Mefloquine is particularly helpful for those who are not able to take other medications to prevent malaria. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 1989. In 2013, the FDA published a safety alert on mefloquine and added a black box warning (its strongest warning) to the drug label. The FDA notice said neurologic side effects can include dizziness, loss of balance (vestibular problems), or ringing in the ears (tinnitus). The safety alert also discussed psychiatric side effects which can include feeling anxious and mistrustful (paranoia).
In addition to these short-term effects, advocates are also raising concerns about long-term effects, including posttraumatic stress disorder and possible suicidal ideation.
VA cares about these concerns and felt it was important to have an independent, nationally respected committee of experts study this issue. The study will be completed in 2020, and the findings will be published in a free, online report.
