How to Find Mefloquine in Stock Near You (Tools + Tips)

You've got a prescription for mefloquine, your flight is in a few weeks, and your pharmacy says they're out of stock. Sound familiar? You're in good company. Mefloquine supply has been limited since 2024, and finding it in stock now requires more effort than a standard prescription fill. But with the right approach, it can be done.

This guide walks you through proven strategies and tools for locating mefloquine at pharmacies near you — without spending your entire afternoon on hold.

Why Is Mefloquine Hard to Find?

Mefloquine (generic for Lariam) is primarily manufactured in the U.S. by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Starting in May 2024, Teva reported limited supply of their 250 mg mefloquine tablets, and the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) maintained an active drug shortage bulletin through at least September 2025. Because mefloquine is a specialty travel drug with lower overall demand than common medications, not all pharmacies stock it regularly — and when a shortage hits, their small inventory runs out quickly.

Step 1: Start Your Search Early

The single most important thing you can do is start early. Mefloquine prophylaxis must begin 1-3 weeks before you enter a malaria-endemic area. If you're scrambling to find it 3 days before departure, your options are severely limited. Ideally, begin your pharmacy search 6-8 weeks before your trip. This gives you time to:

Search multiple pharmacies without time pressure

Switch to an alternative antimalarial if mefloquine is unavailable

Begin your chosen prophylactic medication with the correct lead time

Step 2: Use medfinder to Call Pharmacies For You

The most efficient way to locate mefloquine near you is to use medfinder. Here's how it works:

You provide your medication (mefloquine 250 mg), your dosage, and your location

medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your prescription

You receive the results via text — no hold music, no repeated explanations of your prescription

This is especially valuable for a drug like mefloquine, where stock can vary dramatically from one pharmacy to the next — even within the same chain — and where calling each location individually is time-consuming and frustrating.

Step 3: Know Which Pharmacies to Prioritize

Not all pharmacies are equally likely to stock mefloquine. Here's a hierarchy to work through:

Travel health clinics — These specialized clinics cater to international travelers and are the most reliable source. They stock antimalarials regularly and can often dispense directly or transfer prescriptions.

Specialty and independent pharmacies — Independent pharmacies often have more flexibility to special-order medications and may have mefloquine when chains don't.

Large chain pharmacy locations near airports — CVS, Walgreens, and Costco near major international airports often stock travel medications more reliably.

Hospital outpatient pharmacies — Many hospital systems stock a broader formulary, including travel medications.

Step 4: Ask About Special Orders

Even if a pharmacy doesn't have mefloquine today, many can special-order it from their wholesaler. Ask: "Can you place a special order for mefloquine 250 mg tablets?" This typically takes 1-3 business days but requires some lead time. Note that due to the current shortage, not all wholesalers may have inventory to fill special orders promptly.

Step 5: Talk to Your Doctor About Alternatives

If mefloquine is unavailable at any pharmacy in your area, don't wait until the last minute. Contact your prescriber immediately. Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone) and doxycycline are effective alternatives for most malaria-endemic destinations. See our post on Mefloquine alternatives for a full comparison.

What Information Should You Have Ready?

When calling pharmacies or using a service like medfinder, have the following ready:

Medication name: Mefloquine Hydrochloride

Dosage: 250 mg tablets

Quantity: Specify the number of tablets needed (e.g., 8 tablets for 8-week prophylaxis)

Your zip code and how far you're willing to travel to pick up

The Bottom Line

Finding mefloquine in 2026 requires some legwork, but it's not impossible. Start your search early, prioritize travel health clinics and specialty pharmacies, and use medfinder to cut down on the time spent calling pharmacies. If mefloquine can't be found within a reasonable timeframe, speak with your doctor about switching to atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline so your travel health plan stays on track.