Details

Chloroquine is a medication to treat or prevent malaria, a disease caused by parasites. This medicine works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body. Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Chloroquine is used to treat and prevent malaria. Chloroquine is also used to treat infections caused by amoebae. To make sure chloroquine is safe for you, tell your doctor about your other medical conditions such as psoriasis porphyria liver disease alcoholism epilepsy or other seizure disorder glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or a history of problems with your vision or hearing. Malaria is more likely to cause death in a pregnant woman. If you are pregnant talk with your doctor about the risks of travelling to areas where malaria is common.

Typical Uses

Chloroquine is used to prevent or treat malaria caused by mosquito bites in countries where malaria is common. Malaria parasites can enter the body through these mosquito bites, and then live in body tissues such as red blood cells or the liver. This medication is used to kill the malaria parasites living inside red blood cells. In some cases, you may need to take a different medication (such as primaquine) to kill the malaria parasites living in other body tissues. Both drugs may be needed for a complete cure and to prevent the return of infection (relapse). Chloroquine belongs to a class of drugs known as antimalarials. Chloroquine is also used to treat infection caused by a different type of parasite (amoeba) by killing the amoeba. This drug may also be used to treat certain immune system diseases (such as lupus).

Side Effects

Some people taking this medication over long periods of time or at high doses have developed irreversible damage to the retina of the eye. Stop taking chloroquine if you see light streaks or flashes in your vision, or if you notice any swelling or colour changes in your eyes. Some of the other side effects of chloroquine include hearing loss or ringing in the ears seizure (convulsions) severe muscle weakness, loss of coordination, underactive reflexes nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Chloroquine+anagrelide- Using anagrelide together with chloroquine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

• Chloroquine+tramadol- Tramadol may rarely cause seizures, and combining it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as chloroquine may increase that risk. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumour or head trauma.

• Chloroquine+bupropion- Bupropion may rarely cause seizures, and combining it with other medications that can also cause seizures such as chloroquine may increase that risk. The interaction may be more likely if you are elderly, undergoing alcohol or drug withdrawal, have a history of seizures, or have a condition affecting the central nervous system such as a brain tumour or head trauma.

• Chloroquine+escitalopram- Using escitalopram together with chloroquine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other

Mechanism of action

Chloroquine belongs to the class of medications called antimalarials. This medication is used to treat and prevent attacks of malaria. It works by killing malaria parasites, most likely by damaging their DNA (genetic material). This medication is also used to treat another condition caused by parasites known as extra intestinal amebiasis.