Mefloquine-Antimalarial drug

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              MEFLOQUINE

MECHANISM OF ACTION –
 Mefloquine has been found to produce swelling of the Plasmodium falciparum food vacuoles. It may act by forming toxic complexes with free heme that damage membranes and interact with other plasmodial components.

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION –
It is an antimalarial agent which acts as a blood schizonticide.
It is active against the erythrocytic stage of plasmodium secies .
Mefloquine is a chiral molecule.
The (+) enantiomer is more effective in treating malaria and the (-) enantiomer specifically binds to adenosine in the CNS.

USES – 
1. It is effective drug for multiresistant Plasmodium falciparum.
2. In rare cases used for vivex malaria.

SIDE EFFECTS – 
Stomach pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea / vomiting
Headache
Muscle pain
Diarrhoea
Chest pain
Dizziness
Anxiety

DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION – 
Mefloquine + Aprepitant = serum concentration of mefloquine can be increased.
Mefloquine + Acetazolamide = therapeutic efficacy of Acetazolamide can be decreased.
Mefloquine + Afatinib = serum concentration of afatinib can be increased.

Reference- Tripathi KD," Essentials of Medical Pharmacology",7th edition, page no- 816,818,819,824-825.