mefloquine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “mefloquine” mean?
A synthetic drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A synthetic drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
A quinoline-derivative antimalarial medication known for its effectiveness against chloroquine-resistant strains of malaria, but also associated with significant neuropsychiatric side effects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The drug is known by the same International Nonproprietary Name (INN).
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of malaria prophylaxis and serious potential side effects.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to historical use in Commonwealth travel medicine guidelines, but the term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “mefloquine” in a Sentence
Patients are advised to take [mefloquine] once weekly.The doctor prescribed [mefloquine] for malaria prevention.[Mefloquine] is contraindicated in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mefloquine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The mefloquine regimen must be started three weeks before travel.
American English
- She experienced a mefloquine-related adverse event.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical industry reports or travel insurance documents.
Academic
Common in medical, pharmacological, and tropical medicine literature.
Everyday
Very rare; used only by travelers receiving medical advice or individuals discussing specific medication experiences.
Technical
Standard term in medical, pharmacological, and public health contexts concerning malaria treatment and prevention.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mefloquine”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mefloquine”
- Misspelling as 'mefloquin' (dropping the 'e'), 'mefloquene', or 'mefloqine'.
- Using it as a countable noun in plural without 'tablets' (e.g., 'I took two mefloquines' is non-standard; prefer 'two mefloquine tablets').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Lariam is a common brand name for the drug whose generic name is mefloquine.
For prevention, it is usually taken once a week, starting 2-3 weeks before travel, during travel, and for 4 weeks after leaving the malarious area.
It is associated with potentially severe and long-lasting neuropsychiatric side effects, including anxiety, paranoia, depression, and vivid nightmares, which have led to restrictions in its use.
No. It is contraindicated for people with a history of psychiatric disorders, seizures, or certain heart conditions. A doctor must assess individual suitability.
A synthetic drug used to prevent and treat malaria.
Mefloquine is usually technical/medical in register.
Mefloquine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛflə(ʊ)kwiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛfloʊˌkwin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ME'dicine for 'FLO'wing to regions with ma'QUINE' (a play on 'canine' for bite) from mosquitos. MEFLO-QUINE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHIELD/GUARD (against the invasion of malaria parasites).
Practice
Quiz
What is a major clinical concern associated with mefloquine?