Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42788056›Full record

ReviewCureus2026

Systematic Review of Neuropsychiatric Side Effects Induced by Mefloquine: Evidence From Case Reports and Clinical Studies.

Saravana Kumar Ramasubbu, Ann George, S K Hasib Reja

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Saravana Kumar RamasubbuDepartment of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Madurai, Madurai, IND.
Ann GeorgeDepartment of Pharmacology, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Pondicherry University, Sri Vijaya Puram, IND.
S K Hasib RejaDepartment of Pharmacology, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS), Pondicherry University, Sri Vijaya Puram, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Mefloquine is an effective antimalarial drug widely used for malaria treatment and chemoprophylaxis. However, its use has been associated with a range of neuropsychiatric adverse effects, ranging from mild sleep disturbances to severe psychiatric reactions. The aim of this study is to systematically review the available evidence on neuropsychiatric adverse effects associated with mefloquine use and to characterize their clinical spectrum, time to onset, and reported outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting neuropsychiatric adverse effects associated with mefloquine. Studies meeting the predefined eligibility criteria were included, and relevant clinical and adverse effect data were extracted. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools. Of 207 records identified, 25 studies were included after removing duplicates and applying the eligibility criteria. These comprised 17 case reports and 8 clinical studies. The case reports described 19 patients aged 7-63 years with a wide range of neuropsychiatric manifestations. Frequently reported adverse effects included hallucinations, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, while psychosis, confusion, and mania were also reported. Other manifestations included paranoia, delusions, restlessness, nightmares, depersonalization/derealization, suicidal ideation, and delirium. The time to onset ranged from a few hours to several months after exposure. Clinical studies demonstrated variable frequencies of neuropsychiatric adverse effects across different populations and study designs. Mefloquine is associated with a broad spectrum of neuropsychiatric adverse effects, ranging from mild symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia to severe psychiatric manifestations. Early recognition and careful patient selection are important when prescribing mefloquine.

Indexed as

depressdrug-induced psychosismefloquinemental health illnessneuropsychiatric

Identifiers

PMID42788056
PMCPMC13604310

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.