QUESTION

How long does it take for the side effects of Lariam to disappear?

ANSWER

The manufacturers of Lariam report that it can take a “long” time for side effects to disappear, though they don’t specify an exact time frame.

While most people cease to experience side effects within a few days or weeks of stopping taking the drug (the half-life of the medication in the body is about 2-4 weeks), some people report side effects continuing for a period of months, and in a few rare cases, even years.

In order to minimise the occurrence of disturbing or even dangerous side effects, Lariam is not recommended for people with a history of depression or mental illness, or with heart or liver troubles. The physical side effects of Lariam can be just as dangerous and long-lasting as the more famous psychiatric side effects; in particular, long-term balance problems have been reported.