British members of Parliament are the latest to warn their military against the anti-malaria drug mefloquine because of rare but possibly severe and permanent psychological side effects, reports the Toronto Star’s Sheila Pratt. Thousands of Canadian troops have received the drug and it is still used despite lobbying efforts to stop it.

Some blame drug for Somalia horrors

Some veterans have blamed mefloquine side effects for violence perpetrated by Canadian soldiers in Somalia in 1992-93. A Somali teen was beaten to death triggering an uproar in Canada, an inquiry and the disbanding of the Canadian Airborne Regiment.

Canadian veteran Kevin Berry served in Afghanistan where a commander handing out mefloquine said “Get ready to go loopy, boys!” © CBC

Mefloquine (sold under the brand name of Lariam) is one of several drugs used to prevent and treat malaria. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned in 2013 that it could cause side effects like dizziness, insomnia and seizures as well as paranoia, depression and anxiety. It also said some side effects could be permanent.

U.S. and Australia restrict military use

Shortly after, the U.S. army banned the drug for Special Forces and used it only as a last resort for other troops. Australia has also restricted its use for the military.

In Canada, a National Defence spokeswoman told the Toronto Star that her department will review the report by the U.K. parliamentary defence committee in light of Canadian forces’ use of the drug. In January, opposition members of Parliament demanded the government ban its use in the military.

More than 15,000 Canadian troops took mefloquine

Pharmacy records show 15,677 Canadian soldiers took the drug between January 2001 and March 2012, reports the Star.

(with files from Toronto Star’s Sheila Pratt and CBC)