WTF: Mefloquine . . . . really?

[unhappycamper]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/25/robert-bales-malaria-drug_n_1378671.html

Robert Bales Charged: Military Scrambles To Limit Malaria Drug Just After Afghanistan Massacre
by Mark Benjamin
Posted: 03/25/2012 11:50 pm

WASHINGTON -- Nine days after a U.S. soldier allegedly massacred 17 civilians in Afghanistan, a top-level Pentagon health official ordered a widespread, emergency review of the military’s use of a notorius anti-malaria drug called mefloquine.

Mefloquine, also called Lariam, has severe psychiatric side effects. Problems include psychotic behavior, paranoia and hallucinations. The drug has been implicated in numerous suicides and homicides, including deaths in the U.S. military. For years the military has used the weekly pill to help prevent malaria among deployed troops.

The U.S. Army nearly dropped use of mefloquine entirely in 2009 because of the dangers, now only using it in limited circumstances, including sometimes in Afghanistan. The 2009 order from the Army said soldiers who have suffered a traumatic brain injury should not be given the drug.

The soldier accused of grisly Afghanistan murders on March 17 of men, women and children, Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, suffered a traumatic brain injury in Iraq in 2010 during his third combat tour. According to New York Times reporting, repeated combat tours also increase the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder.



unhappycamper comment: Why would the DoD use a medication on United States soldiers that is known for "psychotic behavior, paranoia and hallucinations"?

I know you're trying to save a few bucks here and there, but at the risk of our sons and daughters mental health?

Or do you truly not give a fuck?

[Scuba]

1. I give a fuck, the politicians who put our service men and women at risk, not so much.

[xchrom]

2. du clusterfuck rec. nt

[dipsydoodle]

3. I looked out of interest to see UK guidelines/risks

Mefloquine should be used with caution in: patients with kidney or liver problems, epilepsy, heart problems including changes in heartbeat rhythm (arrhythmia), have previously caught malaria even though you were taking mefloquine tablets to prevent malaria, pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding.

It should not be used in: those with severe liver problems, a history of mental disorders including depression, or a history of convulsions (fits).

http://drugs.webmd.boots.com/drugs/drug-292-mefloquine.aspx?drugid=292&drugname=mefloquine&istictac=false

2nd para fits you what said.

[barbtries]

4. answer to your last question:

they truly do not give a fuck. why else?

[babylonsister]

5. So disheartening. Is every soldier on this crap? Ugh. nt

[Orrex]

6. I wonder...

How will Afghanistan respond if Bales is found not guilty because of possible drug side effects?

[bluedigger]

12. I suspect their response will be constant and is already ongoing.

I don't think it makes any difference in how we deal with Bales to Afghanistan at this point. Whether he is found innocent or guilty in US courts is immaterial to public opinion there, as we have no legitimacy in the minds of the average citizen. Their outrage moment has already passed and been added to their long list of grievances against foreign oppressors.

[JackintheGreen]

7. It's still quite common, though the risks are known

I've been traveling back and forth to South Asia since 1995, when I was first giveb Larium/mefloquine as my anti-malarial. But even my broke-ass insurance plan switched me to chloroquine in 2008. The biggest risk with Chloro seems to be nightmares, and it turned out to be cheaper.

Sounds more like an >if it ain't (completely) broke, don't fix it" situation.

Fucking larium, though. That stuff sucks.

[yardwork]

8. Military contract with Hoffman-LaRoche.

Roche stopped marketing Lariam in the U.S. in 2009, but it looks like Uncle Sam continued to purchase.

[obxhead]

9. The US Government has made it abundantly clear how much they care.

Lack of proper armor upon deployment.

Lack of proper care upon return from deployment.

Lack of support for family during deployment.

Multiple extended deployments.

The list can go on and on. The troops are a number to be used and disposed of and no amount of speechifying will make up for the actions of our Government towards them. Many say, "we love the troops, God bless the troops." Their actions don't support that.

[A Simple Game]

10. Is there even a malaria problem in Afghanistan? n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. Yes, in parts

http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-%28central%29/afghanistan/afghanistan-malaria-map.aspx

[A Simple Game]

17. Thanks for the link. n/t

[cbayer]

13. I just took a course of this and had zero side effects.

The incidence of these reported effects is really, really small (5/100,000).

The other alternatives are taking antibiotics daily, which has real compliance issues, or a couple of other anti-malarias that also come with risk of side effects.

I don't think it is a cost issue, really.

[stevenleser]

15. NIH now reports that the side effect rate is around 25% with Mefloquine.I had horrible side effects.

Went on safari in Kenya and Tanzania in September. Came back and, well, it was bad. I am writing an article on it.

[cbayer]

18. Is the 25% number for all side effects or the psychiatric side effects?

Sorry you had such a rough time. I researched the drug before I took it, so I knew that there was the potential, but I didn't even have disturbed sleep.

[AtheistCrusader]

14. They feed our pilots amphetamines.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3071789/ns/us_news-only_on_msnbc_com/t/go-pills-war-drugs/

Crazy, man.

[lovuian]

16. they treat our soldiers so badly

Yes hallucinations can be a side effect