September 18, 2017.
A testimonial from singer Stromae put Lariam – an antimalarial known for its unwanted side effects – back to the fore. Collective action could be taken by the victims.
Hallucinations, dark thoughts, suicidal urges
There are few antimalarials and when one of their patient plans to travel to Africa, doctors only have a choice of three substances: Malarone, Doxycycline and Lariam. It is the latter who has been talking about her for a few days, while the singer Stromae explained to the weekly Marianne that he still suffered today from the consequences of taking this drug, two years ago.
In 2015, the Belgian star had indeed had to cancel a tour in Africa after being the victim of hallucinations and anxiety attacks. ” I thought I had fallen into madness », Explains the singer during this interview. ” I couldn’t stand my anti-malaria treatment, it gave me hallucinations. I was diagnosed with psychic decompensation. I could have done a bullshit, I was no longer myself He adds.
Lariam victims could take legal action
If the singer unwittingly puts the side effects of Lariam in the news, these phenomena have been well known to health authorities for about fifteen years. Little prescribed by doctors because of this psychic state that it can cause, going so far as to give suicidal thoughts to certain patients, it was appreciated, in particular because of its low cost.
Even several years later, some patients still suffer from the consequences of this treatment. According to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO), one in 10,000 patients suffer from these side effects, and for some victims, this figure is greatly understated. However, no legal action has yet been taken. The Association for Aid to Victims of Drug Accidents (AAVAM), however, receives more and more complaints and could consider collective action..
Sybille Latour
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