Larian (mefloquine) available in India?

Meike · Nov 3rd, 2005, 06:13

Hi,

I´m wondering if LARIAM (mefloquine) is available in India. In an older thread it was:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tomi

Here's the list of Lariam equivalent medications (and the labs that make them) available in India. All are in 250 mg pills, the same as Lariam in the U.S. (Some names may be slightly misspelled--wrongly copied)
Mefliam, by Cipla.
Meflotas, by Intos.
Mefque, by Zydus.
MQF, by Sun Pharmaceuticals.
Confal, by Lupin.
Falcital, by Cadila.
Larimef, by IPCA.
Mefax, by Alkam.
Mefoc, by Aristo.
There is a slight problem, though: it doesn't appear to be easily available. Pharmacies in Trivandrum (Kerala) would say things like "Mefiam is no longer available", "no malaria medication is available in India, except chloroquin", etc.
I had to go to the Medical College Hospital pharmacy, where I got LARIMEF, labeled "for hospital use only". It cost less than 40 rupees a pill, a fraction of what it costs in the west.
If you are persistent, and you realize that a large percentage of what people tell you in India is false, I'm sure you can get it in sizable towns, but you might prefer to pay the high price and bring them from home. It's up to you.
If you choose not to take any malaria medication, people here tell me that newspapers report malaria cases, so you know about the region you're visiting. I haven't checked for myself.

But as this thread is from 2003 I would like to know if there are any changes.

Did somebody buy mefloquine in India?

Thanks, Meike

Aussie 5 · Nov 3rd, 2005, 06:28

Hi Meike

There has been recent discussion on anti-malarials generally on the 'Doxycycline' thread. One post on page 4 (cyberhippie) indicated that all anti-malarials are available in India - including Larium. Page 5 has a link to a guide on prices in Indai. Hope this helps.

I'll try to add the direct link (first time) but if this does not work you will need to look it up under the health and wellbeing forum. Here goes ...
http://http://www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?t=16824&highlig ht=doxycycline

Meike · Nov 3rd, 2005, 06:43

Thanks, but I´m not too happy with this, because

a) cyberhippie does not say that ALL anti-malaria-meds are available (but ok, he says lariam would be)

b) the priceguide does not include Lariam.

So can anybody say for sure that Lariam / mefloquine is available (and: how much about?)

Thanks again, Meike

pezworld · Nov 3rd, 2005, 06:52

Keep in mind that if you buy it in India, you're missing a week of effectiveness, as you're supposed to take the first Lariam the week before you arrive.

Aussie 5 · Nov 3rd, 2005, 07:35

Meike
Sorry that my previous post did not answer your query - and of course I had no intention of misrepresenting the wonderful cyberhippie (cyberhippie - my apols). Hopefully some other IMer will be able to help you out...

Meike · Nov 3rd, 2005, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by pezworld

Keep in mind that if you buy it in India, you're missing a week of effectiveness, as you're supposed to take the first Lariam the week before you arrive.

No problem, I already have 3 Lariams here. But I need 13

So I would like to buy the other 10 in India

edwardseco · Nov 3rd, 2005, 10:39

I have a problem with Aussie's reply. I am sure he meant most not all as to my knowledge Malarone is not available now. I think a knock off came up and disappeared but no real availability..

Aussie 5 · Nov 3rd, 2005, 16:40

I'm no expert on what is, or is not available, for sale in India. As IMers who have read my posts would know, I'm starting my FIRST visit to India next Friday, 11 November.

All I wanted to do was to help make a connection between a question and previous discussion on the forum. I thought I was being helpful.

I received such help on this site when I first made my enquiries that I want to help others in any way I can. Let's leave it at that.

Meike · Nov 3rd, 2005, 16:53

Thank you, Aussie. I didn´t want to annoy you!

However, I did know the other thread and I would like to have some kind of verification:
Is Larian / mefloquine available in India?

Is it easy to get?

What brand name?

If I´m not sure its available I have to buy more Lariam here in Germany for a lot of €€€€...

Meike

Aussie 5 · Nov 3rd, 2005, 16:58

Meike - I think I'll remove myself from further discussion on this topic. I only wanted to assist you in making a connection to previous forum discussion. I'm out of here ......

Judi · Nov 3rd, 2005, 17:03

and just to throw another spanner in the works .....

I would urge great caution with anyone taking lariam. The side-effects can be pretty appalling, especially psychosis ( to a greater or lesser degree) and some of it is irreversable.

Personally, I suffered terrible nightmares and just a general feeling of 'unwellness', but there have been many other recorded, and far more serious, instances.

Just my two paice .......

limaye · Nov 3rd, 2005, 18:24

I have had much better experiences with Lariam than the previous poster. I have been taking it since May. No terrible side effects, but I do have strange, very vivid dreams. A lot of people take Doxy instead but I like the once-a-week aspect of Lariam vs. daily Doxy. The first time I took it, it gave me a bad stomach, but since then I have been ok. A doctor also told me that it may also help ward off stomach bugs, always a bonus in India! I get it through my work but I believe it is available widely and cheaply in India. Good luck!

AnnaD · Nov 3rd, 2005, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judi

and just to throw another spanner in the works .....

I would urge great caution with anyone taking lariam. The side-effects can be pretty appalling, especially psychosis ( to a greater or lesser degree) and some of it is irreversable.

Personally, I suffered terrible nightmares and just a general feeling of 'unwellness', but there have been many other recorded, and far more serious, instances.

Just my two paice .......

Ditto!
I dont take anything in Delhi (hoping I can get away with it!

) but have taken Lariam for almost a year elsewhere and did feel pretty crabby ... and a friend swore she slept UNDER her bed until someone realized & dragged her to the doc

Limaye: Did your doc give you the go ahead to take Lariam LONG TERM?

limaye · Nov 4th, 2005, 23:31

Well, maybe I am already going funny from the drug?!?!

The official word from the doctors at work is that 2 years is ok... they do not recommend Lariam for anyone with any history of depression or mental illness. Also they push Lariam as they don't recommend Malarone for longer-term use.
Despite what they say, I don't plan on being on Lariam for too long; most people take several months' "break" in between. I plan to do the same else my liver'll turn to mush!

soki · Nov 7th, 2005, 03:02

Meike,
you will find it in any chemestry shop. It will cost you RS104 for two pills.

Nov 3rd, 2005, 06:43	#3
Meike Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 26	Thanks.. Thanks, but I´m not too happy with this, because a) cyberhippie does not say that ALL anti-malaria-meds are available (but ok, he says lariam would be) b) the priceguide does not include Lariam. So can anybody say for sure that Lariam / mefloquine is available (and: how much about?) Thanks again, Meike

Nov 3rd, 2005, 17:03	#11
Judi Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: England Posts: 458	and just to throw another spanner in the works ..... I would urge great caution with anyone taking lariam. The side-effects can be pretty appalling, especially psychosis ( to a greater or lesser degree) and some of it is irreversable. Personally, I suffered terrible nightmares and just a general feeling of 'unwellness', but there have been many other recorded, and far more serious, instances. Just my two paice ....... __________________ It is better to light a candle than complain about the darkness.

Nov 3rd, 2005, 18:24	#12
limaye Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NOYB Posts: 101	I have had much better experiences with Lariam than the previous poster. I have been taking it since May. No terrible side effects, but I do have strange, very vivid dreams. A lot of people take Doxy instead but I like the once-a-week aspect of Lariam vs. daily Doxy. The first time I took it, it gave me a bad stomach, but since then I have been ok. A doctor also told me that it may also help ward off stomach bugs, always a bonus in India! I get it through my work but I believe it is available widely and cheaply in India. Good luck! __________________ in vino veritas

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Nov 3rd, 2005, 06:28	#2
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Hi Meike There has been recent discussion on anti-malarials generally on the 'Doxycycline' thread. One post on page 4 (cyberhippie) indicated that all anti-malarials are available in India - including Larium. Page 5 has a link to a guide on prices in Indai. Hope this helps. I'll try to add the direct link (first time) but if this does not work you will need to look it up under the health and wellbeing forum. Here goes ... http://http://www.indiamike.com/india/showthread.php?t=16824&highlig ht=doxycycline

Nov 3rd, 2005, 06:52	#4
pezworld Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 122	Keep in mind that if you buy it in India, you're missing a week of effectiveness, as you're supposed to take the first Lariam the week before you arrive.

Nov 3rd, 2005, 07:35	#5
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Meike Sorry that my previous post did not answer your query - and of course I had no intention of misrepresenting the wonderful cyberhippie (cyberhippie - my apols). Hopefully some other IMer will be able to help you out...

Nov 3rd, 2005, 10:39	#7
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 4,142	I have a problem with Aussie's reply. I am sure he meant most not all as to my knowledge Malarone is not available now. I think a knock off came up and disappeared but no real availability..

Nov 3rd, 2005, 16:40	#8
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	I'm no expert on what is, or is not available, for sale in India. As IMers who have read my posts would know, I'm starting my FIRST visit to India next Friday, 11 November. All I wanted to do was to help make a connection between a question and previous discussion on the forum. I thought I was being helpful. I received such help on this site when I first made my enquiries that I want to help others in any way I can. Let's leave it at that.

Nov 3rd, 2005, 16:53	#9
Meike Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 26	Thank you, Aussie. I didn´t want to annoy you! However, I did know the other thread and I would like to have some kind of verification: Is Larian / mefloquine available in India? Is it easy to get? What brand name? If I´m not sure its available I have to buy more Lariam here in Germany for a lot of €€€€... Meike

Nov 3rd, 2005, 16:58	#10
Aussie 5 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 278	Meike - I think I'll remove myself from further discussion on this topic. I only wanted to assist you in making a connection to previous forum discussion. I'm out of here ......

Nov 4th, 2005, 23:31	#14
limaye Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NOYB Posts: 101	Well, maybe I am already going funny from the drug?!?! The official word from the doctors at work is that 2 years is ok... they do not recommend Lariam for anyone with any history of depression or mental illness. Also they push Lariam as they don't recommend Malarone for longer-term use. Despite what they say, I don't plan on being on Lariam for too long; most people take several months' "break" in between. I plan to do the same else my liver'll turn to mush!

Nov 7th, 2005, 03:02	#15
soki Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: romania, cluj napoca Posts: 67	Meike, you will find it in any chemestry shop. It will cost you RS104 for two pills.

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