In the pharmaceutical industry, Mefloquine (brand name Lariam) is a potent, long-acting antimalarial drug utilized for both prevention and treatment of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I can confirm that Mefloquine is available and manufactured in India in 2026. However, its use is strictly regulated due to its significant neuropsychiatric side-effect profile.

Availability & Manufacturing in India

• Manufacturing Hub: Several Indian firms, primarily in Surat and Ankleshwar, Gujarat, are major manufacturers and exporters of Mefloquine 250 mg tablets.

• Approval Status: It is approved by the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) for specific indications.

• Brand Landscape: While many global markets have shifted away from Mefloquine, it remains available under several Indian trade names:

  • Mefque (Zydus Cadila)

    Meflotas (Intas/Lupin)

  • Mefloc (Aristo)

    Falcimef (HAB Pharma)

  • Confal (Lupin)

National Drug Policy & Clinical Use

The National Drug Policy on Malaria (2013) in India provides specific guidelines for its use:

• Chemoprophylaxis: It is recommended for travelers or personnel (including armed forces) staying in endemic areas for longer than 6 weeks.

• Dosing: For prevention, it is taken as a 250 mg weekly dose, starting 2 weeks before arrival and continuing for 4 weeks after leaving the endemic area.

• Combination Therapy: It is often co-formulated with Artesunate (ACT) to treat drug-resistant malaria.

The Pharmacist’s “Technical Warning”

As you promote your firm on digital platforms, providing these technical warnings is essential for clinical authority:

• Neuropsychiatric Risk: Mefloquine can cause severe anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and “frank psychosis”. It is strictly contraindicated in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders or seizures.

  Long Half-Life: The drug has an exceptionally long half-life of 2 to 4 weeks. This means side effects can persist long after the medication is stopped.

• Cardiac Warning: It should be used with caution in patients with heart rhythm disorders, as it can cause QT prolongation.

The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export

From a production and B2B standpoint at your facility in Mumbai:

• The “ACT” Strategy: On your marketplace, highlight your Artesunate + Mefloquine FDCs. These are high-demand products for international health tenders, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa where resistance is a concern.

• Stability for Export: Mefloquine is stable but requires protection from light and moisture. Utilizing Alu-Alu blister packaging ensures a 36-month shelf life, vital for export to Zone IVb tropical regions.

• Dossier Support: We provide full CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm’s registration in international markets and for bidding on global antimalarial tenders