DOD Now Eyes Lariam In Suicides

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_lariam_022604,00.html

The Pentagon reversed course Wednesday and told Congress it would look into whether an anti-malaria drug developed by the Army might be causing suicides, one month after asserting the drug could not be a factor.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr. told a House Armed Services Committee panel he would launch a study into side effects of Lariam, "to include suicide and neuropsychiatric outcomes."

He said the Pentagon would appoint a panel to help design the study, but said it could take months or years to complete. Pentagon health officials also said they would no longer use Lariam in Iraq because the malaria risk does not warrant it.

The Pentagon is studying suicides in Iraq and Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Winkenwerder said 21 Army soldiers from units assigned to the operation have committed suicide. Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. James B. Peake told the panel the Army is investigating another five deaths in Iraq as possible suicides, along with six deaths among soldiers in Iraq who returned to the United States and then killed themselves.

[dawn]

1. Wow...I knew Larium could have terrible side effects, but not this!

My doctor prescribed me Larium when I was going to go to India. I was going to go late last year but that leg of my trip had to be cancelled.

Anyway, while in Thailand, I heard some pretty scary tales about people who had gone to India (and other countries with malaria not resistant to Larium) and took the drug. Some of them experienced horrible nightmares, while others said they were always paranoid, anxious, or depressed. Some people said they didn't have any problems.

Perhaps combined with the stress of combat, the drug could cause people susceptible to its side effects to be suicidal. How scary.

I am prone to anxiety as it is, so I'm glad I didn't have to take the drug. If I ever do need a drug like that, I'll take one of the orhter drugs available. The problem is, so many doctors insist on prescribing Larium.

It's also the main anti-malarial prescribed for Peace Corps volunteers.

[RamboLiberal]

2. Larium was also implicated in a rash of murders

of spouses committed by troops returning from Afghanistan in the initial stages of the war on terror. I remember reading the stories posted here on DU.