Tri-Service

Veteran: "Lariam Made Me Think I’d Caught HIV"

A former sailor has spoken out against the drug Lariam, saying it gave him delusions and suicidal thoughts, and even made him think he’d caught HIV.

The veteran, who we are calling ‘Neil’ to protect his identity, was prescribed the drug in 2006 before he was deployed to Sierra Leone with the Royal Navy.

Mefloquine, which has the brand name Lariam, is prescribed to personnel to stop them contracting malaria. However some who have used the drug have complained of psychosis, depression and even hallucinations. Neil told us:

"It got to the point where I just sat in the cabin all day. I wasn’t allowed to work, I wasn’t allowed to use arms."

"There’s definitely a stigma towards reporting side effects, it’s going to hinder your future if you do report that you have mental health issues."

One solicitor told Forces TV she’s been contacted by dozens of service personnel complaining of mental health issues.

Johnny Mercer MP, a former Army Officer, has also raised concerns about the drug. He told Forces TV last November that he is "concerned that serious mental health issues are being underreported".

He added that the Defence Select Committee (DSC) is looking into whether the use of Lariam was a "risk too far".

Members of the Ministry of Defence, including Mr Mercer and the Surgeon General of the Armed Forces, will appear before the DSC on Tuesday.