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Chloroquine

Generic Name: chloroquine (KLOR oh kwin)Brand names: Aralen Phosphate, Aralen Hydrochloride

What is chloroquine?

Chloroquine is an antimalarial drug. The exact way that chloroquine works is unknown.

Chloroquine is used to treat and to prevent malaria. Chloroquine is also used to treat infections caused by amoebae.

Chloroquine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about chloroquine?

Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Chloroquine may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chloroquine?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

  • had a previous allergic reaction to chloroquine;

  • glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency;

  • psoriasis;

  • porphyria; or

  • liver disease.

You may not be able to take chloroquine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether chloroquine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take chloroquine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known how chloroquine will affect a nursing infant. Do not take chloroquine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take chloroquine?

Take chloroquine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take chloroquine with food to lessen stomach upset.

It is important to take chloroquine regularly to get the most benefit.

Store chloroquine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Chloroquine dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a chloroquine overdose include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, visual changes, seizures, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking chloroquine?

Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Chloroquine may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.

Chloroquine side effects

Stop taking chloroquine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (flushing; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; vision problems; rash; itching; or fever).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take chloroquine and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing;

  • hearing loss or ringing in the ears;

  • diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain or upset, vomiting, or loss of appetite;

  • muscle weakness; or

  • a rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Chloroquine Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis:

500 mg chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) orally on the same day each week starting 2 weeks prior to exposureIf unable to start 2 weeks before exposure, an initial loading dose of 1 g chloroquine phosphate (600 mg base) may be taken orally in 2 divided doses, 6 hours apart.Suppressive therapy should continue for 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria:

Chloroquine-sensitive uncomplicated malaria (Plasmodium species or species not identified):60 kg or more: 1 g chloroquine phosphate (600 mg base) orally at once, followed by 500 mg chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) orally at 6, 24, and 48 hours; represents a total dose of 2.5 g chloroquine phosphate (1.5 g base) in 3 daysLess than 60 kg: 16.7 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (10 mg base/kg) orally at once, followed by 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (5 mg base/kg) orally at 6, 24, and 48 hours; represents a total dose of 41.7 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (25 mg base/kg) in 3 daysFor the treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to chloroquine-sensitive P vivax or P ovale, concomitant treatment with primaquine phosphate is recommended.

Usual Adult Dose for Amebiasis:

Extraintestinal Amebiasis: 1 g chloroquine phosphate (600 mg base) orally once a day for 2 days, followed by 500 mg chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) orally once a day for at least 2 to 3 weeksTreatment is usually combined with an effective intestinal amebicide.

Usual Adult Dose for Sarcoidosis:

Study (n=43)Intrathoracic and cutaneous: 250 mg twice a day for 4 to 17 months; a treatment course should be limited to 6 months to minimize risk of ocular damageStudy (n=23)Pulmonary: 750 mg per day for 6 months, then tapered every 2 months to 250 mg per dayStudy (n=37)Nervous system (neurosarcoidosis): 250 mg twice a day for 6 to 18 months

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis:

Pediatric dose should not exceed the adult dose regardless of weight.8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (5 mg base/kg) orally on the same day each week starting 2 weeks prior to exposureIf unable to start 2 weeks before exposure, an initial loading dose of 16.7 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (10 mg base/kg) may be taken orally in 2 divided doses, 6 hours apart.Suppressive therapy should continue for 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria:

Chloroquine-sensitive uncomplicated malaria (Plasmodium species or species not identified):60 kg or more: 1 g chloroquine phosphate (600 mg base) orally at once, followed by 500 mg chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) orally at 6, 24, and 48 hours; represents a total dose of 2.5 g chloroquine phosphate (1.5 g base) in 3 daysLess than 60 kg: 16.7 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (10 mg base/kg) orally at once, followed by 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (5 mg base/kg) orally at 6, 24, and 48 hours; represents a total dose of 41.7 mg chloroquine phosphate/kg (25 mg base/kg) in 3 daysFor the treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to chloroquine-sensitive P vivax or P ovale, concomitant treatment with primaquine phosphate is recommended.

What other drugs will affect chloroquine?

Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) may increase the effects of chloroquine, which could lead to toxicity. Do not take cimetidine without first talking to your doctor.

Kaolin and magnesium trisilicate may decrease the effects of chloroquine. These ingredients can be found in products such as Kaopectate Advanced Formula, Parepectolin, K-Pek, K-C, Kaodene Non-Narcotic, Kao-Spen, Gaviscon, and others.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with chloroquine. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without first talking to your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist can provide more information about chloroquine.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
  • Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01. Revision Date: 04/02/2009 1:35:40 PM.
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