Chloroquine

Introduction To Chloroquine

Chloroquine is an antiparasitic medicine, used for the prevention and treatment of malaria. It works by killing the malaria causing parasite and stops the infection from spreading.

Chloroquine is administered as an injection by a healthcare professional. Kindly do not self-administer. Take measures to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes like using insect repellent creams on parts of your body, not covered by clothing. Spray mosquito repellent to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms in spite of screening. Wear light-colored and covered clothing when you are outside after sunset.

You may experience weakness, vomiting, rash, and itching as side effects of this medicine. It may also cause stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea. You may also notice some injection site reactions like pain, swelling, or redness. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration.

Inform your doctor if you have diabetes as it can lower the sugar levels in the blood. If you are diabetic, you should monitor your blood sugar regularly. It may cause blurring of vision. Therefore, regular eye examinations are recommended while on treatment with this medicine. When used long term, your doctor may monitor the amounts of the different types of blood cells in your blood regularly. Inform your doctor if you have unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, or a general feeling of tiredness.

Uses of Chloroquine

  • Treatment of Malaria

Benefits of Chloroquine

Treatment of Malaria
Chloroquine is used to treat malaria, a serious or life-threatening illness that is spread by a parasite that enters the human body by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It kills the infection causing parasite and stops further spread of the infection. Take it only as prescribed and refrain from taking any other medicines along with this medicine (unless advised by the doctor) as they may affect the absorption of this medicine. Do not use this medicine for treating any other condition without consulting your doctor.

Side effects of Chloroquine

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Mosquine

  • Weakness
  • Rash
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea

How to use Chloroquine

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

How Chloroquine works

Chloroquine is an antiparasitic medication that treats malaria. It works by increasing the levels of haeme in the blood, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.

Quick tips

  • Chloroquine is used for the prevention and treatment of malaria.

  • Tips to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes:

    • Wear light-colored and covered clothing when you are outside after sunset.
    • Use insect repellent creams or sprays on parts of your body not covered by clothing.
    • Spray to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms despite screening.
  • It may cause a blurring of vision when you first start taking it. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration.

  • Eye examination before and at 3–6 monthly intervals during use is required if patients are receiving Chloroquine at continuous high doses for a longer duration.

  • It may cause low blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, if you are diabetic.

  • When used long-term, your doctor may monitor the amounts of the different types of blood cells in your blood regularly. Inform your doctor if you have unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, or a general feeling of tiredness.

Safety Advice

sdsPregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Can I take Chloroquine if I’m pregnant?

Chloroquine may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

sdsBreastfeedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Can I take Chloroquine if I’m breastfeeding?

Chloroquine is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.

sdsAlcoholCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Is drinking alcohol while taking Chloroquine safe?

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Chloroquine. Please consult your doctor.

sdsDrivingUNSAFE

Can I drive after taking Chloroquine?

Chloroquine may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Sometimes Chloroquine causes blurred eyesight or makes it difficult to focus your eyes which may affect your ability to drive.

sdsKidneyCAUTION

Can I take Chloroquine if I have/had kidney diseases?

Chloroquine should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Chloroquine may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

sdsLiverCAUTION

Can I take Chloroquine if I have/had liver diseases?

Chloroquine should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Chloroquine may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of liver function tests may be advised while you are taking this medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Chloroquine and what it is used for?

Chloroquine is an anti-malarial medicine that is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.

Q. How long does it take for malaria symptoms to show?

Symptoms of malaria can develop as quickly as 7 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. Usually, the symptoms may take up to 7 to 18 days to appear (incubation periods) from the day of the infection. Initial symptoms of malaria are flu-like which include feeling hot and shivery, fever, muscle pains, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.

Q. Is it safe to use Chloroquine for a long period of time?

If your doctor has prescribed you Chloroquine for a longer period of time, you should get your eyes checked regularly. This is because chloroquine present in this medicine might cause blurred vision, difficulty reading (due to words disappearing), and a rare eye condition called retinopathy if taken for a longer period of time.

Q. Who should not use Chloroquine?

Inform your doctor if you have psoriasis before taking Chloroquine since it may make your condition worse.

Q. What are the side effects of Chloroquine?

Some of the most common side effects of this medicine are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. These side effects can often be reduced by taking the medicine with food.

Q. Can chloroquine cure coronavirus (COVID-19)?

There is not enough medical data to prove that chloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19. Therefore it is advisable not to take Chloroquine without consulting your doctor for treating COVID-19.

Q. Can I take antacids along with Chloroquine?

If you take an antacid, give a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medications.

Q. What is the difference between hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were both first approved for malaria. However, chloroquine tends to cause many more side effects than hydroxychloroquine. As a result, hydroxychloroquine is more commonly used today. Hydroxychloroquine is also approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, while chloroquine is not.

Q. How can you prevent yourself from getting malaria?

Malaria can be prevented by taking certain precautionary steps like covering your arms and legs to prevent mosquito bites, using a mosquito net, and insect repellent. Check with your doctor whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets. If you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose and finish the proper course of treatment.

Q. What is Chloroquine and what it is used for?

Chloroquine is an anti-malarial medicine that is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.

Q. How long does it take for malaria symptoms to show?

Symptoms of malaria can develop as quickly as 7 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. Usually, the symptoms may take up to 7 to 18 days to appear (incubation periods) from the day of the infection. Initial symptoms of malaria are flu-like which include feeling hot and shivery, fever, muscle pains, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.

Q. Is it safe to use Chloroquine for a long period of time?

If your doctor has prescribed you Chloroquine for a longer period of time, you should get your eyes checked regularly. This is because chloroquine present in this medicine might cause blurred vision, difficulty reading (due to words disappearing), and a rare eye condition called retinopathy if taken for a longer period of time.

Q. Who should not use Chloroquine?

Inform your doctor if you have psoriasis before taking Chloroquine since it may make your condition worse.

Q. What are the side effects of Chloroquine?

Some of the most common side effects of this medicine are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. These side effects can often be reduced by taking the medicine with food.

Q. Can chloroquine cure coronavirus (COVID-19)?

There is not enough medical data to prove that chloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19. Therefore it is advisable not to take Chloroquine without consulting your doctor for treating COVID-19.

Q. Can I take antacids along with Chloroquine?

If you take an antacid, give a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medications.

Q. What is the difference between hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were both first approved for malaria. However, chloroquine tends to cause many more side effects than hydroxychloroquine. As a result, hydroxychloroquine is more commonly used today. Hydroxychloroquine is also approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, while chloroquine is not.

Q. How can you prevent yourself from getting malaria?

Malaria can be prevented by taking certain precautionary steps like covering your arms and legs to prevent mosquito bites, using a mosquito net and insect repellent. Check with your doctor whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets. If you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose and finish the proper course of treatment.

References

Written By:

Dr Advikka Ridhy

Dr Advikka Ridhy

MBBS

RMO, Aster MIMS

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