Yesterday Lisa and I took our first of eight weekly doses of Lariam (mefloquine hydrochloride), the antimalarial drug our tropical medicine doctor recommended. Actually we had a choice between Mefloquine and Doxycycline, which we would have had to take each day while in India. We don’t usually forget to take medication, but a weekly pill sounded easier.

“Of course there is a risk of side effects with mefloquine. 1 in 1,000 experience vivid dreams, agitation, or depression. 1 in 10,000 suffer from hallucinations, extreme depression, and other neurological side effects. But if that happens, just switch to Doxycycline in India. It will probably cost less there anyway.”

The warning label from the CVS pharmacy distilled all of these risks down to “May cause dizziness. Take with food.”

So far neither Lisa or I have unexpectedly vivid dreams, though last night I think I might have been battling terrorists with Jack Bauer after watching the finale of “24″ before bed.

According to intrepid world and web traveler Tish Sheridan perhaps I should be a little nervous about that dream. “Don’t strangle anyone,” was her advice. Apparently American and Canadian troops in malaria country have had interesting reactions.

CDC TravelWise: Pages 1 and 2.