MEFLOQUINE HYDROCHLORIDE vs PLAQUENIL

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 21, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. MEFLOQUINE HYDROCHLORIDE and PLAQUENIL are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	MEFLOQUINE HYDROCHLORIDE	PLAQUENIL
Rating	72/100	New
Pharmacy pays	~$127.75 /30	~$4.86 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	MEFLOQUINE HYDROCHLORIDE	HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SULFATE
Manufacturer	Hikma	Advanz Pharma
Dosage forms	Tablet	Tablet
Drug class	Antimalarial	Antimalarial
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	—	about 40 to 50 days (terminal elimination half-life in whole blood)
Treats	Falciparum Malaria, Vivax Malaria	Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Malaria

mefloquine hydrochloride plaquenil

Rating

72/100

New

Pharmacy pays

~$127.75 /30

~$4.86 /30

Type

Active ingredient

MEFLOQUINE HYDROCHLORIDE

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE SULFATE

Manufacturer

Hikma

Advanz Pharma

Dosage forms

Tablet

Drug class

Antimalarial

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

—

about 40 to 50 days (terminal elimination half-life in whole blood)

Treats

Falciparum Malaria, Vivax Malaria

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Malaria

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Mefloquine Hydrochloride or Plaquenil?

Plaquenil costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $4.86 vs $127.75 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Mefloquine Hydrochloride and Plaquenil?

Mefloquine Hydrochloride contains Mefloquine Hydrochloride, while Plaquenil contains Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.