SEVERE PSYCHIATRIC SIDE-EFFECTS OBSERVED DURING PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT WITH MEFLOQUINE

Mefloquine hydrochloride is now one of the major antimalarial drugs us ed both in prophylactic and therapeutic regimens. Large-scale studies have shown that it is efficacious and relatively well tolerated. Howev er, some severe side effects, particularly neuropsychiatric reactions, have been described. We describe two young men with no previous medic al history who experienced severe psychiatric reactions during prophyl actic and curative mefloquine therapy. In both cases, full recovery wa s rapid after cessation of the therapy. There is no explanation for th ese reactions. Serum levels of mefloquine were within the normal range . The absence of contraindications and minor side effects during an in itial course of mefloquine should be confirmed before another course i s prescribed.