<p>Mefloquine has been found to produce swelling of the&nbsp;Plasmodium falciparum&nbsp;food vacuoles. It may act by forming toxic complexes with free heme that damage membranes and interact with other plasmodial components.<br />
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Mefloquine is an antimalarial agent which acts as a blood schizonticide. Mefloquine is active against the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium species. However, the drug has no effect against the exoerythrocytic (hepatic) stages of the parasite. Mefloquine is effective against malaria parasites resistant to chloroquine. Mefloquine is a chiral molecule. According to some research, the (+) enantiomer is more effective in treating malaria, and the (-) enantiomer specifically binds to adenosine receptors in the central nervous system, which may explain some of its psychotropic effects.</p>