Malaria Drug Side-Effects In News Again

Controversial anti-malaria drug Lariam is in the news again with a story in today's Guardian, which asks whether it should be banned.

While many users experience no side-effects, a significant number have complained about symptoms ranging from insomnia and mild hallucinations through to dizziness, anxiety, depression and paranoia. At its most extreme, it's claimed that the drug is implicated in a number of suicides and incidents of suicidal behaviour.

The Guardian article says that between 1997 and 2002, the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) documented 11 suicides and 12 suicide attempts associated with Lariam and there are a growing number of campaigners against the drug.

Times columnist and ex-MP Matthew Paris is just the most prominent example of people who have highlighted Lariam's potential side effects and while many medical experts believe that Lariam is safe provided some precautions are taken, it's definitely something we'd want to look at before using the drug.

Full story in today's Guardian.

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