Malaria drug black labeled by FDA over side-effects
Jul 30, 2013, 6:29 AM | Updated: 8:13 am
Staff Sergeant Robert Bales took the drug while on tours of Iraq, and he might have taken it again on his tour of Afghanistan before he murdered 16 civilians. (AP Photo/File)
(AP Photo/File)
The malaria drug used by Staff Sergeant Robert Bales and known to causes psychotic episodes has now been black-labeled by the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA is now putting a label on doses of Mefloquine warning doctors and patients about the side effects and possible permanent neurological damage from using the drug. The drug is known to cause anxiety, hallucinations and dizziness.
Staff Sergeant Robert Bales took the drug while on tours of Iraq, and he might have taken it again on his tour of Afghanistan before he murdered 16 civilians.
The Seattle Times reports Bales’ use of the drug could come up next month during his sentencing. His attorneys are trying to get him a chance at parole.
Mefloquine is the third malaria drug of choice in the military, but it’s still being used.
