What is chloroquine? Usage and dosage

Chloroquine is used to prevent or treat malaria caused by mosquitoes in countries where malaria is common. Malaria parasites can enter the body through mosquito bites and then live in body tissues such as red blood cells or the liver. This medicine is used to kill malaria parasites living in red blood cells. In some cases, you may need different medications (such as primaquine) to kill the malaria parasites that live in other body tissues. Both medications may be needed for comprehensive treatment and to prevent the infection from coming back (recurrence). Chloroquine belongs to a group of anti-malarial drugs.

Chloroquine is also used to treat infections caused by a parasite (Ameba) by killing the parasites.

Other effects: This section includes the use of drugs not listed on the approved drug label, but may be prescribed by your doctor. Use this medication for medical conditions listed in this section only if it has been prescribed by your doctor

It is also used to treat certain immune system conditions (such as lupus).

How should you use chloroquine?

Taking medication with food can prevent stomach upset. Take medication exactly as directed by your doctor.

Daily or weekly dose, dosage and duration of treatment based on health status, diseases you are preventing or treating and your reaction to treatment. The dosage in children is also based on body weight. To prevent malaria, take chloroquine once a week on the same day each week, or as directed by your doctor. Start taking this medication usually 1-2 weeks before you arrive at the malaria area, continue taking it weekly while there, and for 4-8 weeks after leaving the area, or as directed by your doctor. doctor. Mark your calendar or travel schedule with a reminder to help you remember.

To treat malaria or Ameba infection, follow your doctor's instructions.

Take this medication 4 hours before or after taking a medicine for diarrhea (kaolin) or taking an antacid (like magnesium / aluminum hydroxide). These drugs can combine with chloroquine and prevent the body from fully absorbing the drug.

It is very important to continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than prescribed. Do not stop taking the medicine before completing treatment, even if you feel better, unless you get other instructions from your doctor. Removing or changing a dose without your doctor's approval can make prevention or treatment ineffective, increasing the number of parasites, making it harder for infections to treat (resistance). medicine), or make the side effects worse.

It is important to prevent mosquito bites (such as by using appropriate insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, in air-conditioned areas, using mosquito nets and insecticides). Buy insect repellent before traveling. The most effective insect repellents contain diethyltoluamide (DEET). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for the appropriate strengths of mosquito repellent for you / your child.

There is no medicine that is completely effective in preventing malaria. So, get medical attention right away if you have symptoms of malaria (such as fever, chills, headache, and other flu-like symptoms), especially when in an epidemic area. cold and 2 months after the end of the prescription. Prompt treatment of malaria infection is necessary to prevent serious, potentially fatal consequences,

When using chloroquine to treat malaria, tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

How should you store chloroquine?

Store at room temperature, away from moisture, away from light. Do not store in the bathroom. Do not store in the freezer. Each medication may have different storage methods. Read the directions on the package carefully, or ask your pharmacist. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do not throw medication into the toilet or plumbing unless required. Dispose of properly when the medicine is out of date or cannot be used. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Cloroquin Phosphate dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before deciding to take your medication.

What is the dose of chloroquine for adults?

Usual adult dose for malaria prevention

1. 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate taken orally on the same day each week.

Usual adult dose for malaria treatment

From 60 kg or more

1. 1 g of chloroquine phosphate taken as an initial dose, followed by 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate taken after 6-8 hours, then 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate taken once daily for the next 2 days.
2. Total dose: 2,5 g chloroquine phosphate for 3 days

Under 60 kg

1. First dose: 16.7 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg
2. Second dose (6 hours after the first dose): Take 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg
3. Third dose (24 hours after the first dose): Take 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg
4. Fourth dose (36 hours after the first dose): Take 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg
5. Total dose: 41,7 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg for 3 days

Usual adult dose for amoeba treatment

1 g of chloroquine phosphate taken once a day for 2 days, then 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate taken once daily for at least 2-3 weeks.

What is the dose of chloroquine for children?

Usual pediatric dose for malaria prevention

1. Infants and young children: 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg orally on the same day each week.

Usual pediatric dose for malaria treatment

Infants and young children:

Under 60 kg

1. First dose: 16.7 mg of chloroquine phosphate
2. Second dose (6 hours after the first dose): Take 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg
3. Third dose (24 hours after the first dose): Take 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg
4. Fourth dose (36 hours after the first dose): Take 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate / kg
5. Total dose: 41,7 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg for 3 days

From 60 kg or more:

1. First dose: Take 1 g of chloroquine phosphate
2. Second dose (6 hours after the first dose): Take 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate
3. Third dose (24 hours after the first dose): Take 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate
4. Fourth dose (36 hours after the first dose): Take 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate
5. Total dose: 2,5 g chloroquine phosphate for 3 days

What are the levels of chloroquine?

Chloroquine has the following forms and contents:

1. Tablets, taken orally 500 mg.

Side effects

What side effects will you experience when using chloroquine?

Some people taking this medication for long periods of time or at high doses have lost their retina. Stop taking chloroquine and call your doctor at once if you have trouble concentrating, if you see light or blinking streaks when you look, or if you notice any swelling or color change in the eyes.

Go to the hospital or call your doctor at once if you experience any of the following signs of allergy: rash; shortness of breath; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have dangerous side effects such as:

1. Problems with vision, reading or seeing difficult objects, blurred vision;
2. Hearing loss or tinnitus;
3. Seizures (convulsions);
4. Severe muscle weakness, loss of coordination, poor reflexes;
5. Nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
6. Severe skin reactions - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face or tongue, burning in the eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple rash (especially in the face or upper body) and causing swelling blistering and peeling.

Other less serious side effects may occur. Keep taking chloroquine and tell your doctor if you experience:

1. Diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain;
2. Temporary hair loss, change in hair color; or
3. Mild muscle weakness;

Not everyone exhibits the above side effects. There may be other side effects not mentioned. If you have any questions about side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

What should you know before using chloroquine?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), or if you have a history of vision changes or retinal damage caused by chloroquine or similar anti-malarial drugs.

To make sure chloroquine is safe for you, tell your doctor about your other medical conditions, especially:

1. Psoriasis;
2. Porphyria metabolic disorders;
3. Liver failure;
4. Alcoholism;
5. Seizures or other seizure disorders;
6. Deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD); or
7. History of vision or hearing problems.

Things to keep in mind if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies to determine the risk of using this medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Before taking medication, always consult your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks. This medication is part of Group C for pregnancy.

Note: Classification of drugs for pregnant women:

1. A = No risk;
2. B = No risk in some studies;
3. C = There may be a risk;
4. D = There is evidence of risk;
5. X = Contraindicated;
6. N = Unknown.

What drugs may interact with chloroquine?

Drug interactions can alter the ability of the drug to work or increase the effects of side effects. This document does not include the full range of possible drug interactions. Write a list of all the medicines you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter and supplements) and show it to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not arbitrarily take, discontinue or change the dosage of the drug without a doctor's permission.

Taking this medicine with any of the medications below is not recommended. Your doctor may choose other medications to treat your illness:

1. Amifampridine;
2. Aurothioglucose;
3. Bepridil;
4. Cisapride;
5. Dronedarone;
6. Levomethadyl;
7. Mesoridazine;
8. Pimozide;
9. Piperaquine;
10. Sparfloxacin;
11. Terfenadine;
12. Thioridazine;
13. Ziprasidone.

Taking this medication with the medications below is not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or two medications.

1. Antiarrhythmic drugs (Acecainide; Ajmaline; Alfuzosin; Amiodarone; Aprindine; Azimilide; Bretylium; Disopyramide; Dofetilide; Flecainide; Hydroquinidine; Ibutilide; Ivabradine; Isradipine; Lidoflazine; Pirmenol; Prajmaline; Procainamide; Propafenone; Quain; ;
2. Mental disorder medications (Amisulpride; Asenapine; Chlorpromazine; Clozapine; Paliperidone; Quetiapine; Zotepine)
3. Antidepressants (Amitriptyline; Amoxapine; Aripiprazole; Citalopram; Clomipramine; Desipramine; Dibenzepin; Doxepin; Escitalopram; Fluoxetine; Imipramine; Nortriptyline; Protriptyline; Sertindole; Sultopride; Trifluoperazine; Trimipramine
4. Anticancer drugs (Arsenic Trioxide; Buserelin Crizotinib; Dabrafenib; Dasatinib; Deslorelin; Dolasetron; Domperidone; Droperidol; Gonadorelin; Goserelin; Granisetron; Haloperidol; Histrelin; Iloperidone; Lapatinib; Leuprolide; Nafarelin; Nilotinib; Ondotanib; Oilotinib; Oilotinib; Octilon ; Risperidone; Sorafenib; Sunitinib; Toremifene; Triptorelin; Vandetanib; Vasopressin; Vemurafenib; Vinflunine;
5. Narcotic analgesics (Apomorphine; Chloral Hydrate; Methadone; Trazodone;
6. Antihistamines (Astemizole; Prochlorperazine; Promethazine;
7. Antibiotics (Azithromycin; Clarithromycin; Erythromycin; Fluconazole;
8. Foscarnet; Gatifloxacin; Gemifloxacin; Ketoconazole; Levofloxacin; Lopinavir; Lumefantrine; Mefloquine; Metronidazole; Moxifloxacin; Norfloxacin; Ofloxacin; Pentamidine; Posaconazole; Quinine; Saquinavir; Spiramycin; Sulfamethoxazole; Telithromycin; Trimethoprim; Voriconazole;
9. Anagrelide;
10. Cimetidine;
11. Deferasirox;
12. Delamanid;
13. Enflurane;
14. Fingolimod;
15. Halofantrine;
16. Halothane;
17. Isoflurane;
18. Mifepristone;
19. Perflutren Lipid Microsphere;
20. Probucol;
21. Vaccine Rabies;
22. Ranolazine;
23. Salmeterol;
24. Sevoflurane;
25. Electrolyte (Sodium Phosphate; Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic; Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic);
26. Solifenacin;
27. Tetrabenazine;
28. Vardenafil;
29. Zolmitriptan.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may put you at risk for certain side effects, but using these two drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both medications.

1. Ciprofloxacin;
2. Cyclosporine;
3. Medicines for digestive disorders (Kaolin; Magaldrate; Magnesium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide; Magnesium Oxide; Magnesium Trisilicate);
4. Praziquantel;
5. Proguanil.

Does food or alcohol interact with chloroquine?

Certain medicines should not be taken with meals or at the same time as certain foods because of the possible interaction. Alcohol and tobacco may also interact with certain drugs. Consult your health professional about taking medication with food, alcohol and tobacco.

What health conditions affect chloroquine?

Your medical condition may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have any health problems, especially:

1. Allergy to 4-aminoquinoline compounds (eg, hydroxychloroquine).
2. Eye or vision problems (eg, retinal or visible area changes) caused by 4-aminoquinoline compounds - should not be used in patients with this condition.
3. Blood or bone marrow problems
4. Eye or vision problems (for example, macular degeneration, retinopathy).
5. Hearing problems.
6. Muscle weakness
7. Porphyria.
8. Psoriasis.
9. Stomach or intestinal problems - Using medication cautiously can make these conditions worse.
10. Epilepsy, a history of history - The use of drugs can increase the risk of seizures.
11. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency - May cause anemia in patients with this condition.
12. Kidney disease.
13. Liver disease - Use with caution. Side effects may be increased because of the slower removal of chloroquine from the body.

What should you do in case of emergency or overdose?

In an emergency or overdose, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest local health station.

What should you do if you miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take twice the prescribed dose.