Mefloquina para la prevención del paludismo

About mefloquine

Mefloquine tablets help to protect you from malaria when you travel to areas where this can be a problem. Malaria is a serious infection. It is common in tropical countries such as parts of Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and the Middle East. Malaria is a disease which is passed on to humans by infected mosquitoes. A parasite called plasmodium lives inside the stomachs of infected female mosquitoes and is passed on to humans by a bite. Mefloquine works by killing the parasites passed into your body from the bites of the infected mosquitoes.

Dado que el patrón del paludismo varía en función de la parte del mundo a la que se viaja, así como de la estación del año y el tipo de actividad que se ha planeado, siempre se deben obtener los últimos consejos sobre la prevención del paludismo de su médico, farmacéutico u organizador de viajes. Un viaje de mochilero puede requerir medidas preventivas contra el paludismo diferentes de las necesarias para un viaje de negocios a una ciudad.

Mefloquine tablets are not available on the NHS, although you will require a prescription from a doctor to obtain them. You will be given a private (non-NHS) prescription to take to your local pharmacy, and you will be asked to pay for the tablets when they are supplied.

Mefloquine can sometimes be given to treat malaria in people who have become infected. This leaflet does not contain information about this, but your doctor can give you more information if you have been prescribed it for this reason.

Before taking mefloquine

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking mefloquine it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• If you have epilepsy or have ever had fits (convulsions).

• Si padece una enfermedad cardiaca.

• Si alguna vez ha padecido depresión, ansiedad grave o cualquier otro problema de salud mental.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• If you have had Blackwater fever (a complication of malaria infection).

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have ever had a bad reaction to a medicine called quinine.
  

How to take mefloquine

• Before you take mefloquine, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about mefloquine. It will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it and what to do if you experience them.

• Take the tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. The dose to prevent malaria in an adult is one 250 mg tablet once a week. Your dose will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you. (If you have malaria and you are taking mefloquine to treat it, your dose will be different to this.) If you are giving mefloquine to a child, the dose prescribed will depend on the weight of your child. Check the label carefully to make sure you are giving the correct dose.

• Start taking the course of tablets 2-3 weeks before you travel and continue to take them for four weeks after you return. Take the tablet on the same day of the week. If you develop any side-effects in the 2-3 weeks before you travel, speak with your doctor for further advice.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water during a mealtime (or just after a snack). If you prefer, the tablet can be crushed and mixed with a little food, such as jam or honey, to make it easier to swallow.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue with your next dose on the usual day. Do not take two doses at the same time. You must complete the full course of tablets unless you are told otherwise by a doctor.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Estas pastillas le ayudarán a prevenir el paludismo, pero también es importante que tome las siguientes precauciones contra las picaduras de mosquitos:
  

  • Cubra las zonas descubiertas de brazos y piernas con ropa holgada de manga larga, pantalones largos y calcetines. Esto es especialmente importante si está al aire libre después de la puesta de sol, ya que es cuando se alimentan los mosquitos.

  • Utiliza un spray repelente de insectos eficaz en la ropa y en cualquier zona de la piel que tengas descubierta. Si también utiliza un protector solar, aplíquese primero el protector solar y después el repelente de insectos.

  • Rocía la habitación con un insecticida cada noche un par de horas antes de acostarte. Comprueba si hay mosquitos en las zonas donde duermes: presta especial atención a los muebles y a las zonas bajo la cama, donde pueden esconderse los insectos.

  • Si duerme en una habitación sin mosquitera, utilice una mosquitera impregnada con insecticida.

• It is possible that mefloquine may make you feel dizzy and affect your balance. These effects may continue for a while, even after you have stopped mefloquine. Make sure you know how you react before you drive and before you use machines or tools.

• Your doctor will discuss with you the possibility of other unwanted side-effects. If you develop any changes in your moods, thoughts or behaviour, you should see your doctor before your next dose is due so that you can be given an alternative antimalarial medicine.

• If you have been advised to have an oral vaccine to protect you against typhoid, you should arrange to have this at least three days before you start taking mefloquine. This is because mefloquine can stop the vaccine from working properly.

• If you buy any other medicines to take, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take alongside mefloquine.

• Si se encuentra mal o tiene fiebre o síntomas gripales durante el viaje o en el plazo de un año (sobre todo si son tres meses) después de volver a casa, acuda inmediatamente al médico. Esto es importante, incluso si ha tomado correctamente los comprimidos antipalúdicos.

Can mefloquine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with mefloquine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist who will be able to advise you further.

How to store mefloquine

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos