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Lariam suicide is a possible side effect of taking this anti-malarial medication. Lariam was developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute in collaboration with the World Bank, the World Health Organization and Swiss pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-La Roche. Lariam, a prophylactic against and treatment for malaria, was approved by the FDA in May 1989. Malaria is a life threatening disease that is carried by mosquitoes all over the world.
Millions of US citizens and military troops have been prescribed Lariam. Over 400,000 travelers are prescribed Lariam every year. During the Somalia conflict in 1992, over 25,000 troops used Lariam. Lariam has also been widely prescribed to troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001. Approximately 45,000 troops were prescribed Lariam in 2003.
Lariam suicide risks were first publicly recognized in 1991 when the World Health Organization issued a report confirming that Lariam users had an increased risk for serious neurological and psychiatric adverse events. This paper noted that of the patients who showed negative side effects from Lariam, almost half reported these types of events. Thirty percent of these patients suffered serious mental disturbances for more than four months after terminating their treatment.
In 1994, a La Roche safety study concluded that Lariam suicide and other proliferations of mental psychosis were reported in a number of Lariam patients. It wasn''t until 2002 that La Roche changed its patient product information to include warnings about the risks of Lariam suicide and other serious potential consequences of Lariam use. The FDA has warned that the serious side effects from Lariam use (which could lead to Lariam suicide) can occur after short use of the medication and can linger long after a patient has stopped treatment.
In addition to Lariam suicide, there are a number of serious side effects that are associated with taking Lariam. Lariam side effects can include headaches, chest pains, convulsions, seizures, tremors, visual hallucinations, balance disorders, anxiety, paranoia, depression, brain stem damage, and violent or suicidal behaviors. People with a prior history of mental conditions may be at an increased risk of Lariam suicide or suicidal ideations.
Growing concern about the risks of Lariam suicide and other side effects follow a number of questionable occurrences. In 2002, a slew of homicides were committed at Fort Bragg, where several troops had taken Lariam. In the summer (malaria season) of2003 there was a rash of suicides in Iraq which experts feel might be related to Lariam use. The US military and La Roche claim that there is no conclusive evidence to prove that these deaths were Lariam suicide cases. There is also no evidence to prove otherwise. Both organizations acknowledge that Lariam suicide might be a serious risk for people who are taking this medication.
Safety concerns about Lariam anti-malaria pill continues to be raised. After a Fort Carson Green Beret committed suicide weeks after returning home from Iraq, the Defense Department researchers have asked for a blood sample. The soldier was believed to...
The Pentagon announced in late February that it would look into whether a widely-used anti-malarial drug that the Army developed could be causing suicides. The announcement, made to Congress, came as a surprise, since the Pentagon had asserted only one...
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