Does anyone have any experience(or problems) with taking Lariam(anti-malaria)pills while pregnant?

Question

My sister has to go to Africa, she's 4 months pregnant and wants to know if she can still take them.

Answer 1

Do not even think of taking Lariam if you are not pregnant. This should only be taken to treat malaria. It is advisable not to take the "prevention" - especially for longer periods of stay.

Reasons:
- sustained taking of malaria prophylactics causes more damage than actually contracting malaria and treating it right away.
- prescence of the medication in your system may mask symptoms and make it more difficult to diagnose if you think you have it
- only 80% effective

If however, she insists on taking these drugs, there are better drugs available now like Malarone and some others.

Answer 2

Well I would highly question the overall use of Lariam as well. In the nine months I was in Africa every traveller who came down with malaria WAS taking lariam. If you do become infected the drug acts as a mask of both symptoms and blood tests making prompt diagnosis and treatment often late and causing the flare up to be much worse. Doxycycline and Malarone seemed to be more affective though malarone is more expensive and both must be taken daily. There is also a Chinese herbal but the name escapes me. Note that drug prices in the west are much higher than in africa so only buy enough to get you there and pick up the rest when you're ther if they aren't covered by a drug plan.

Answer 3

Hi,

I agree with the first poster that she should definately NOT take Lariam while pregnant. She should contact a good travel medicine clinic and ask their advice.

While in Africa, she needs to consider other anti-mosquito precautions. First, a good mosquito repellent, not like Off or something cheap like that, but something you'd buy in a sporting goods store. In the US, Sawyer makes a very good repellent. Next, long sleeves and long pants during the evening, especially at dusk, with socks and a quick swipe of repellent on any exposed parts. Here in Ghana, the mosquitos are so small, you can hardly see them, but they stay low to the ground, so ankles get most of the bites it seems. At night, if possible, sleep under a treated mosquito net, and use a ceiling fan at a high speed which tends to blow the little buggers away from you.

There are also local repellents she can buy. Here, for example, an ointment made from the Neem trees, which is a natural repellent.

Tell your sister she should enjoy her trip and not worry so much. Not every mosquito carries malaria.

Barb

Answer 4

Lariam (mefloquine) is not recommended in the early stages of pregnancy (first 90 days). However, it may cause side effects in your mental health.

Malarone (Atovaquon / Proguanil) and doxycycline are extremely dangerous during pregnancy and breastfeeding!

Chloroquine (Nivaquine) and Paludrine are OK during pregnancy, but might not cover what she needs in Africa (which country?)

She needs to talk to a doctor affiliated to a hospital that deals with tropical diseases.

Hope this helps