Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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301. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to parliamentary Question No. 262 of 30 March 2017 and the clarification to same of 13 June 2017 (details supplied), the year in which the Defence Forces were first of the view that the specific reactions of abnormal dreams, nightmares or insomnia, if declared by a member of the Defence Forces to be present, would necessitate withdrawal of mefloquine. [30568/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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In 2013, the manufacturers of Lariam (mefloquine) issued a “Direct Healthcare Professional Communication on Lariam for malaria chemoprophylaxis and the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse reactions” and “Guide for Healthcare Professionals” to healthcare professionals. The relevant wording in the Guide for Health Professionals issued by Roche is as follows: "Psychiatric symptoms such as nightmares, acute anxiety, depression, restlessness or confusion have to be regarded as prodromal for a more serious event"and "Patients on malaria chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine should be informed that if these reactions or changes to their mental state occur during mefloquine use, to stop taking mefloquine and seek medical advice immediately so that mefloquine can be replaced by alternative malaria prevention medication."

The Defence Forces policy on the use of Lariam for malaria chemoprophylaxis is in line with these updated guidelines since their introduction.