A phospholipid-interacting antimalarial drug (antimalarials). It is very effective against plasmodium falciparum with very few side effects. [PubChem] (en)
For the treatment of mild to moderate acute malaria caused by Mefloquineuine-susceptible strains of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> (both chloroquine-susceptible and resistant strains) or by <i>Plasmodium vivax</i>. Also for the prophylaxis of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> and <i>Plasmodium vivax</i> malaria infections, including prophylaxis of chloroquine-resistant strains of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i>. (en)
Mefloquine has been found to produce swelling of the <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> food vacuoles. It may act by forming toxic complexes with free heme that damage membranes and interact with other plasmodial components. (en)
There is evidence that mefloquine is excreted mainly in the bile and feces. Urinary excretion of unchanged mefloquine and its main metabolite under steady-state condition accounted for about 9% and 4% of the dose, respectively. (en)