Lariam for Malaria Prevention User Reviews

• RolandD
• December 19, 2012

"I took one of these and felt nearly suicidal within a few hours. The warning labels say if you have previously experienced "certain psychiatric conditions" then you should not take the medication. Well, those conditions include garden-variety depression which a pretty large percentage of the population has experienced. "

• a...
• September 23, 2015

"As an A-Detachment medic i was forced to use this drug for over two years straight. I was also in charge of malaria chemoprophylaxis for my team. During the loading dose my guys started complaining of weird dreams and depression. Returning from South America at least 3 out of 11 of the team guys divorced their wives. By the time I raised the BS flag and started a new preventive treatment another 3 were on their way to divorce or had separated from spouse due to depression and other issues like anger and other issues directly associated with Lariam. I wrote an extensive report and pass it along to 7th Group Surgeon but did not even get a courtesy reply. Today I walk around with multiple issues depression, other mental and physical....."

• Steve...
• June 17, 2013

"I took this for two years whilst in East Africa. Although many people told me it was not good, I found no side effects and never have suffered from Malaria. I had regular Liver function teats and no adverse symptoms were found."

• Jessica...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2017

"My boyfriend and I we're prescribed Larium for a trip around Asia, both 25 fit & healthy. Both have taken various malaria medication for other trips and have never reacted always been fine, even on months worth of doxycycline. After the first tablet, I was experiencing very vivid dreams-which was fine and had no issues even though some quite frightening. However over the next two weeks I have had all the symptoms including extreme nauseousness, consistent diarrhea (sometimes 7 times in one day) Insomnia, panic and anxiety attacks, faint feeling and worst of all tingling sensations and slight numbness in hands and legs - very scary at times. A can of coke helped. Please don't take this medication and look for other alternatives not worth it"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2020

"Was issued this drug for a deployment to Afghanistan. Took it for a year. Now I have a stutter in my speech, anxiety, depression, and a bit of paranoia. I've been told it's PTSD, but I spent the entire time over there stuck on the base doing paperwork. I didn't experience any traumatic stress at all."

• Makpaz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2020

"Lariam caused side effects of horrible visual hallucinations after only 1 use! Saw many green crocodile-like creatures hopping up and down from the floor, in my bedroom, ALL NIGHT, with saw sound in background as they go up and down popping their heads from floor. It was beyond a nightmare. Can't find words. Couldn't sleep. I prefer Malaria than this. NEVER AGAIN!"

• skind...
• September 20, 2016

"took Larium on a trip to Indonesia and had huge vivid excruciating nightmares each night. i never usually remember my dreams, but this trip was disturbed each night by bolting out of my bed with my heart pounding and sweat all over my body. it was a truly horrible experience. next trip I took Malarone and all was good. I met a fellow traveler in another part of Indonesia on this 2nd trip and she had the same experience with Larium that I had. I did not get Malaria but the drug side effects were not worth it to me."

• gigi
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2020

"In 1996 my husband and I took Lariam before travelling to Zimbabwe and Botswana. I noticed I was very jittery on the flight all night from London to Zimbabwe. Had difficulty sleeping and wondered why as we were in First Class and very comfortable. My husband felt shaky most of the time we were there which was 12days. When we returned home. I had nightmares and he felt felt worse every day. I finally went to our Doctor and after I reminded her what I had taken, everyday, I think for 14 days. She said. It is the Lariam!! After that I told everyone I knew, not to take it! Friends had told me originally, not to take it, but I figured it would not bother me, but it did. Thank you."

• santa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2018

"I had zero problems with this medication. Used it for about 7 months, while on a year-long world trip...used for India, Africa, and the south Pacific. I picked this strictly for convenience--1x/week much easier than daily. I bumped into about 20 other travellers who also were taking Lariam. 19 also had no problems, and one did. She had the weird dreams and so she stopped taking the Larium right away. I'd tell a friend: Start taking this while you are still at home, and see if you're one of the few who have significant reactions to this. (If so, of course, discontinue and pick a different anti-malaria Rx) [Note: I had to fight with my insurance, pre-trip, to get enough pills to last for my extended travels. Finally got Blue Shield to cover them, once I pointed out the huge medical coverage costs to them if I ended up getting malaria due to not having sufficient pills.]"

• Tsibi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2016

"Used Lariam in Zimbabwe for periods up to six weeks in country. Have taken this medication on 15 trips to Zimbabwe I have not experienced any side effects."