Common use
Chloroquine is an aminoquinoline used to treat or prevent malaria infections and a certain type of parasitic infection. It kills malaria parasites, most likely by damaging their DNA (genetic material).
Dosage and directions
Chloroquine is taken by mouth with a glass of water or food. Dosage varies depending on the type of infection:
1) Malaria
– For Adults, the recommended dose is 500 mg on exactly the same day of each week.
– For children, it is 5 mg calculated as base, per kg of body weight. 10 mg base/kg may be taken in two divided doses, six hours apart.
2) Treatment of Acute Attack
– For adults, it is 1 g followed by an additional 500 mg after six to eight hours and a single dose of 500 mg on each of two consecutive days.
Note: This instruction presented here is just for review. It’s very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It helps you to get the best results.
Precautions
If you will be taking Chloroquine for a long period of time, it can lead to symptoms such as blood problems or muscle weakness that may be caused by this medicine. Call your doctor immediately if you experience a change in vision during or after treatment. If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, call your doctor immediately. Do not use this drug before you drive or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity, disorders of liver and kidney functions, frank impairments of cardiac muscle (with rhythm disorders), illnesses of blood and nervous system, illnesses of the retina and cornea of an eye, diabetes, chronic alcoholism. Do not use it if you are allergic to chloroquine or any ingredients of the medication, or if you have certain visual problems due to chloroquine, similar medications, or any other cause (unless in the treatment of malaria it is decided that the benefits outweigh the risks).
Possible side effects
The most common side effects include: appetite loss; clumsiness; diarrhea; dizziness; feeling of whirling motion; mild headache; nausea; stomach cramps; vomiting. More serious side effects may include severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; change in color of skin or inside of mouth; diarrhea; difficulty seeing and reading (words, letters, or parts of objects missing when reading); fever or sore throat; hair loss; hearing loss; mood changes; ringing in the ears; seizures; sensitivity to sunlight; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness; vision problems; weight loss. If you experience one of these, stop using Chloroquine and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.
Drug interactions
Chloroquine interacts with the following medicines: ampicillin, antacids that contain magnesium, cimetidine, cyclosporine, kaolin. An interaction between medications does not mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual, it affects the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how these interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Missed dose
If you forgot to take your dose on time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take it if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usual dose the next day at the same regular time.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, impairment of consciousness, disturbance of vision, convulsions, and coma. Death due to respiratory distress may happen within 2 hours after the intake. If you experience one of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Storage
Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, and out of the reach of children and pets. Do not use after the expiration term.
Disclaimer
We provide only general information about medications which do not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. Information on the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and any mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for the consequences of self-treatment.