Mefloquine hydrochloride, the generic name for Lariam, has been related to major psychiatric adverse effects, including suicide, violence, and long-term mental health issues. Numerous US travelers and service members, including soldiers stationed in Australia and the UK, have received prescriptions for the well-known malaria preventative medication Lariam.
Lariam shares some serious psychological adverse effects with other anti-malarial medications, such as severe hallucinations and suicidal thoughts.
Lariam was created by the US military but is now being sold to the general public by Hoffman-La Roche. The military still employs it, but after the Robert Bales killing of 17 Afghan civilians, it is being reviewed along with several other frequently administered medicines.
Although it is unclear if Robert Bales, the man responsible for the murder of 17 Afghan people, was taking Lariam when he committed his horrible acts, the US military launched a review of the medication as soon as the incident occurred.
In addition, the US military explicitly outlawed the medicine for soldiers who already had traumatic brain injuries.
Side Effects
The medication is hazardous because it leads to severe psychiatric side effects in about one-third of cases. The following are some signs that Lariam’s side effects are present:
- Depression
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Suicidal Thoughts
If you think you’ve had negative effects, you should call your doctor and ask for a prescription for a different drug.
Suppose you or a loved one has suffered substantial harm due to taking Lariam, whether you are a civilian or a member of the armed services. In that case, you may be entitled to compensation, which a Lariam legal company can help you obtain.
Large populations of cases are typically discovered in tropical areas of the world and places with extremely subpar medical care.
The Centers for Disease Control advise people from the United States traveling to other countries where malaria is common to obtain and take malaria medication, such as Lariam, for a long time before embarking on their journey and to continue taking it while in the country they are visiting.
These countries include Africa, South America, and the South Pacific. Over 20 million people have received it since it was originally given out in 1985. Lariam has, however, been linked to significant and severe adverse effects.
Severe sadness, paranoia, seizures, and anxiety are a few side effects of Lariam. About 20% of individuals report experiencing dizziness and having vivid dreams.
The most severe reaction, however, is that there have been instances where Lariam was regarded to be the catalyst for patients’ suicidal thoughts and actions; tales of troops committing suicide during or after deployment in the Middle East caused doctors and patients alike to express alarm.
FDA Warning
The Food and Drug Administration ordered the Lariam manufacturer to add a warning on the bottle’s label in September 2002, advising users that the medication could potentially provoke suicidal thoughts.
While trying to advise those receiving a new prescription for the medication, this warning does little to help those who have already used the medication and encountered its adverse side effects.
Others contend that the warning is insufficient, while others contend that the medicine should be completely taken off the market. The Food and Drug Administration must periodically assess all patients receiving a Lariam prescription for signs of depression or suicidal ideation.
Call your doctor immediately if you are prone to these tendencies or have ever suffered sadness, anxiety, paranoia, or other comparable adverse effects after taking Lariam. You might need to take an additional anti-malaria medication that won’t increase your risk of developing suicidal thoughts.
Talk to your doctor about your treatment choices if you have already encountered these adverse effects. It is challenging to carry on with daily life when you are seriously depressed or overcome with anxiety.
You should still consult your doctor, even if you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing is depression or if Lariam is to blame. Only they can properly diagnose the symptoms you’re experiencing and, if required, change your medication.
You should see a lawyer who handles matters involving medication manufacturer carelessness and potential wrongful death lawsuits if your spouse or kid took Lariam and committed suicide.
Even if the negative effects of Lariam were known and readily available, if your loved one took it without being informed of them, you may have a case against the manufacturer.
Your loved one’s death may entitle you to financial compensation, which the lawyer may explain in detail, along with the process of filing a wrongful death claim. It seems unfair that a person may use drugs in anticipation of a trip or holiday only to experience such serious side effects.
When you consult with a lawyer, they will be able to assess your particular situation and give you a sense of your odds of succeeding in court and your potential recovery. You can’t know how successful you will be until you consulta lawyer because every situation is unique.
Make the first step toward holding the drug company accountable for what it has done to you and your family by contacting a lawyer right away.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted physicians and the general public on July 29, 2013, with revised warnings of long-lasting neuropsychiatric adverse effects linked to mefloquine. According to the FDA, some side effects may last or become permanent.
The most severe type of warning regarding potential adverse effects is now present on the label of mefloquine: the Black Box Warning.
Manufacturer Warning
Lariam’s maker, Roche, has written notifications to medical professionals cautioning them about the danger of suicide. The cautions follow new inquiries into Lariam after army officials announced they would examine whether the medicine played a role in a slew of well-reported soldier homicides and suicides in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
To acknowledge that “few occurrences of suicidal ideation and suicide have been documented,” Roche revised the drug’s label and official product information. It now intends to make the decision public by notifying hundreds of doctors across the United States in writing.
The updated label warns that acute anxiety, depressive, or confused symptoms could result in “a more serious event.” Patients should stop using the medicines and switch to another malaria medication.
Lariam has been prescribed to 25 million individuals worldwide since its introduction in 1985.
In 79 countries where malaria is resistant to other medications, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise Lariam as the drug standard. The medicine was initially investigated and mostly utilized by the military when it was first developed by the US army and later licensed to Roche. But it has gained popularity among many American tourists traveling to Third World locations that are becoming more popular, as well as among Peace Corps volunteers and charity workers. Contact a lawyer if you have any questions about warnings or drug information
Should I Speak with an Attorney?
If you took Lariam and encountered any of the aforementioned negative effects, you should visit a doctor immediately. You might also want to contact a qualified class action lawyer in your area to discuss your rights and potential compensation for your injuries. Your attorney can advise you of your legal rights and next steps for moving forward.
