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Chloroquine
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Description
Chloroquine is an antimalarial medication which is used in the treatment as well as prophylaxis of malaria. This medicine is not recommended in patients with the eye disease. Liver function and blood cell count monitoring is necessary while receiving this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Chloroquine
Blurred vision
Confusion
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Skin rash
Hair loss
Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
Uses of Chloroquine
What is it prescribed for?
Malaria prophylaxis
Chloroquine is used as prophylaxis for malaria.
Malaria
Chloroquine is used in the treatment of malaria characterized by muscle pain, fever with chills and fatigue.
Amebiasis
Chloroquine is used in the amebiasis which is a parasitic infection that affects the intestine
and amebic liver abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The effect of this medicine can be observed in 1 to 2 hours.Duration of effect
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 9 to 15 days.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendencies were reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is known to excreted through breast milk. It is not recommended in for breastfeeding women.
Allergy
Not recommended in patients with known allergy to 4-aminoquinoline compounds.
Retinal or visual field changes
Not recommended in patients with any vision impairment.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is known to excreted through breast milk. It is not recommended in for breastfeeding women.
General warnings
Prolongation of QT interval
This medicine may increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms. Therefore should be used with caution in patients with arrhythmias or any other heart diseases. Any symptoms of palpitations, difficulty in breathing should be reported to the doctor.
Eye disorder
This medicine may increase the risk of vision problem. This effect depends on the dose and duration of the treatment. Close monitoring of eye function is necessary. Any symptoms of vision problem should be reported to the doctor.
Blood cell count
This medicine may lower the blood cell count if taken for a longer time. Close monitoring of complete blood cell count is necessary. Discontinue the treatment if any signs of low blood cell count appear. It should be used with caution in patients with glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Hearing problem
This medicine may increase the risk of the hearing problem. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with existing hearing problem. Discontinue the treatment if any symptoms are identified.
Impaired liver function
This medicine should be used with caution in liver injury patients. Details of other medications that can affect the liver should be informed to the doctor. Discontinue the treatment if any elevation in the liver enzymes is identified.
Psoriasis
This medicine is not recommended in patients with psoriasis as it may exacerbate the condition. Inform the doctor if you have any skin diseases before initiation of the treatment. It is used only if benefits overweigh risks.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended in patients with porphyria as it may exacerbate the condition. Inform the doctor if you have this condition before initiation of the treatment. It is used only if benefits overweigh risks.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Chloroquine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ethambutol
Fluconazole
Tramadol
Quinidine
Disease interactions
Oculotoxicity
This medicine is not recommended in patients with the eye disorder. Close monitoring of eye function is necessary. The treatment should be discontinued if any symptoms of blurred vision, difficulty in reading appear.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Chloroquine as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. It is advised to take this medicine at the same time every day. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed to prevent the spread of infection. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by increasing the concentration of a toxic molecule in the parasite thus inhibits the growth of the parasite.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antimalarial Quinolines
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Chloroquine Phosphate Oral: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Chloroquine phosphate tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 2 May 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.