Chloroquine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine is Chloroquine?

What is chloroquine (chloroquine) for?

Chloroquine is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria, or treat infectious diseases caused by mosquitoes infected with parasites.

The parasites that cause malaria enter through mosquito bites and then settle in body tissues, such as red blood cells or liver. This drug is classified as an antimalarial class of drugs that functions to kill parasites that settle in red blood cells.

In certain cases, use of chloroquine is combined with other drugs, such as primaquine. This combination is generally needed to increase the chances of cure as well as prevent the infection from returning (relapse).

The American Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a number of travel guidelines and recommendations for the prevention and treatment of malaria in various parts of the world. Talk to your doctor before traveling to areas prone to contracting malaria.

Chloroquine is a drug that is also used to treat parasitic infections of the amoebic type and several other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.

How is chloroquine (chloroquine) used?

Always follow the medication rules that have been given by the doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

You will be prescribed oral medication according to your doctor's instructions. Generally, this medication is taken after meals to prevent stomach discomfort. The dosage is always given based on your health condition and how your body responds to treatment.

The doctor will also check whether you have done prevention or treatment for this disease before. For children, the dose will also be adjusted according to their body weight.

To prevent malaria, take chloroquine once every week on the same day every week, or as directed by your doctor. Treatment starts 1-2 weeks before you go to a malaria-prone area.

Continue treatment at the same dose and interval as long as you are in a vulnerable area. Continue for another 4-8 weeks after you leave the area. Mark your calendar or travel itinerary to help you remember.

Take this medication 4 hours before or after using certain medications for diarrhea (kaolin) or antacids, such as magnesium or aluminum hydroxide. These drugs can bind to chloroquine and prevent your body from properly absorbing chloroquine.

Follow the prescription that has been given by the doctor. Do not reduce the dose or take more than the recommended dose. It is not recommended to stop using this drug without your doctor's approval before the treatment period is over, even if you feel better.

Stopping the dose suddenly will cause the drug to not work optimally. Your health condition will be at risk of worsening due to the number of parasites that increase and make the infection resistant to the drug.

Inform your doctor if symptoms do not improve or get worse.

How to store this drug?

Chloroquine or chloroquine is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not keep this medication in the bathroom or put it on freezer.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when the drug has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your medicine.

Chloroquine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of chloroquine (chloroquine) for adults?

The following is the recommended chloroquine dosage for adults:

The usual dose for adults with prophylactic malaria

You can use 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) orally 1 time / week on the same day each week.

The usual dosage for adults with malaria

Adults who weigh 60 kg or more can use this drug in doses

Initial dose, use 1 gram of chloroquine phosphate (600 mg base) orally 1 time / week on the same day each week.

Maintenance dose: 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) taken after 6 - 8 hours, then 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) taken once a day for 2 consecutive days. Total dosage: 2.5 g chloroquine phosphate (1.5 g base) in 3 days

If the body weight is less than 60 kg, use an oral drug with a dose:

• Initial dose: 16.7 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (10 mg base / kg)
• Second dose (6 hours after initial dose): 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (5 mg base / kg)
• Third dose (24 hours after second dose): 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (5 mg base / kg)
• Fourth dose (36 hours after the third dose): 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (5 mg base / kg)

The usual dose for adults with amebiosis

Take 1 gram of chloroquine phosphate (600 mg base) orally once for 2 days, followed by 500 mg of chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) orally 1 time / day for 2- 3 weeks

What is the dose of chloroquine (chloroquine) for children?

The following are the recommended chloroquine doses for children:

The usual dosage for children with prophylactic malaria

Infants and children use 8.3 mg of chloroquine phosphate (300 mg base) orally 1 time / week on the same day each week.

The usual dosage for children with malaria

Infants and children weighing less than 60 kg, use oral medications:

• Initial dose: 16.7 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (10 mg base / kg)
• Second dose (6 hours after initial dose): 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (5 mg base / kg)
• Third dose (24 hours after second dose): 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (5 mg base / kg)
• Fourth dose (36 hours after the third dose): 8.3 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (5 mg base / kg)

Total dose: 41.7 mg chloroquine phosphate / kg (25 mg base / kg) in 3 days

In what dosage is this drug available?

Chloroquine is a drug that is available in the following dosages:

• Tablet, oral: 250mg, 500mg

Chloroquine side effects

What are the side effects of chloroquine (chloroquine)?

Some patients who take chloroquine (chloroquine) for long periods or at high doses report permanent damage to the retina of the eye.

Stop using this medication and contact your doctor immediately if problems or problems with concentration occur, a white light or flash appears on your vision, or if you notice swelling or discoloration of the eyes.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of a severe allergic reaction:

• itchy rash
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Stop using this drug and contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as:

• visual impairment, difficulty reading or seeing an object, foggy vision
• hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• seizures
• acute muscle weakness, loss of hand and leg coordination, slowing reflexes;
• nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, pale stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

Other side effects are common. Continue dosing and discuss with your doctor if any of the following conditions occur to you:

• diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps
• temporary hair loss, changes in hair color
• muscles feel weak

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Chloroquine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using chloroquine (chloroquine)?

Before deciding to undergo treatment with chloroquine, you need to pay attention to several things. The following conditions must be considered:

Certain drugs and diseases

Tell your doctor about any medications you are currently using, whether prescription, non-prescription, supplements, or herbal medicines. This is because several types of drugs may interact with chloroquine.

In addition, it is also important to inform your doctor about any diseases or other health conditions that you are currently suffering from. It is possible that this drug can trigger interactions with certain diseases or health conditions.

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug allergy, in particular to chloroquine or any of the ingredients in this medicine. Also, get checked to see if you have any other allergies, for example to certain foods, dyes, or animals.

Elderly

Several types of drugs have not been tested for safety in the elderly. Therefore, these drugs may work differently, or have the potential to cause different side effects in the elderly. Especially for the elderly, consult the use of this drug to your doctor first.

Is this drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Chloroquine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with chloroquine (chloroquine)?

Drug interactions can change the performance of the drug or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

According to MedlinePlus, here is a list of drugs that may interact with chloroquine:

• acetaminophen (paracetamol)
• cimetidine
• iron supplements
• isoniazid
• kaolin
• magnesium tricilicate
• methotrexate
• niacin
• rifampin

Can food or alcohol interact with chloroquine (chloroquine)?

Chloroquine is a drug that can interact with certain drugs. That is why you are not recommended to take this medicine at the same time as certain foods because drug-food interactions can occur.

In addition, smoking or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

Chloroquine is a drug that can interact with certain health conditions. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• allergic to 4-aminoquinoline compounds, for example hydroxychloroquine
• visual disturbances or eye disease (visual changes in the retina) due to 4-aminoquinoline compounds
• diseases in the blood or bone marrow
• hearing disorders
• limp muscles
• porphyria
• psoriasis
• gastrointestinal or stomach problems
• epilepsy
• deficiency glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)

Chloroquine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118 or 119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Here are the symptoms of an overdose that you need to be aware of:

• nausea
• throws up
• dizzy
• lost balance
• numbness and tingling
• convulsions

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.