Pronunciation: KLOR-oh-kwin
Generic Name: Chloroquine
Brand Name: Aralen
Chloroquine is used for:
Treating and suppressing acute attacks of certain strains of malaria and a certain type of parasitic infection (extraintestinal amebiasis). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Chloroquine is an aminoquinoline. It is thought to kill sensitive malaria parasites by stopping normal metabolism inside the parasite.
Do NOT use Chloroquine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Chloroquine
- you have vision problems or retinal changes
- you are taking astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, nilotinib, quinacrine, tetrabenazine, or dofetilide
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Chloroquine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Chloroquine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
- if you have porphyria or any other blood disease, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, or a history of seizures
- if you have psoriasis, stomach or intestinal problems, liver disease, hearing problems, or central nervous system problems
- if you have a history of alcohol addiction or abuse
- if you will be having a rabies vaccine
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Chloroquine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Mefloquine because the risk of seizures may be increased
- Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, disopyramide), arsenic, astemizole, bepridil, cisapride, dofetilide, dolasetron, domperidone, droperidol, halofantrine, haloperidol, iloperidone, lithium, macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), maprotiline, methadone, nilotinib, paliperidone, pentamidine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), pimozide, quinolone antibiotics (eg, levofloxacin), telithromycin, tetrabenazine, tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors (eg, lapatinib), terfenadine, or ziprasidone because the risk of severe side effects, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
- Quinacrine or medicines that may harm the liver (eg, acetaminophen, methotrexate) because they may increase the risk of Chloroquine's side effects. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may harm the liver.
- Cyclosporine because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Chloroquine
- Rabies vaccine because its effectiveness may be decreased by Chloroquine
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Chloroquine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Chloroquine:
Use Chloroquine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Chloroquine may be taken with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Do not take antacids or products containing kaolin within 4 hours before or after taking Chloroquine.
- If you also take ampicillin, do not take it within 2 hours before or after you take Chloroquine.
- If you miss a dose of Chloroquine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Chloroquine.
Important safety information:
- Chloroquine may cause blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Using Chloroquine alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Chloroquine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Chloroquine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Contact your health care provider if you notice any muscle weakness or problems with vision or hearing. Your knee and ankle reflexes will be tested periodically.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Chloroquine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, such as complete blood cell counts and eye tests, may be needed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep appointments.
- Use Chloroquine with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Caution is advised when using Chloroquine in CHILDREN because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Accidental ingestion of Chloroquine in children has been fatal. Keep Chloroquine out of the reach of children. In case of overdose, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Chloroquine, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Chloroquine during pregnancy. Chloroquine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Chloroquine.
Possible side effects of Chloroquine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Appetite loss; diarrhea; mild headache; nausea; stomach cramps; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bizarre behavior; change in the color of the skin or the inside of mouth; difficulty seeing or reading (words, letters, or parts of objects missing when reading); dizziness; fever or sore throat; hair loss; hearing loss; mental or mood changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; sensitivity to sunlight; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, persistent nausea or stomach pain); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness; vision problems (eg, blurred vision, trouble focusing); weight loss.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Chloroquine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; drowsiness; excessive excitability; fainting; headache; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; mood changes; seizures; severe drowsiness or dizziness; slow, shallow breathing.
Proper storage of Chloroquine:
Store Chloroquine in a tightly closed container at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Chloroquine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Chloroquine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Chloroquine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Chloroquine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Chloroquine resources
- Chloroquine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Chloroquine Dosage
- Chloroquine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Chloroquine Drug Interactions
- Chloroquine Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Chloroquine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Chloroquine with other medications
- Amebiasis
- Malaria
- Malaria Prevention
- Sarcoidosis
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