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Mefloquine (brand name: Lariam®) is a drug that has been given to military personnel, including those serving in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, for protection against malaria. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. - See more at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/mefloquine-lariam.asp#sthash.o7GF6PSK.dpuf

Most people who take mefloquine do not experience side effects. For those who do, the most common reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, and bad dreams. These symptoms are usually mild and do not cause people to stop taking the medicine. People with liver problems, or those who drink alcohol or take medicines that affect the liver, may take longer to eliminate mefloquine from the body.

Occasionally, mefloquine may cause more serious side effects. Examples include psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, paranoia, depression, mood changes, hallucinations, agitation, and unusual behavior. Other uncommon side effects may include muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat, and lung problems such as pneumonitis (inflammation of lung tissue). Rare cases of suicidal thoughts have been reported. - See more at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/mefloquine-lariam.asp#sthash.o7GF6PSK.dpuf