Chloroquine is mainly used to treat violent attacks of malaria and other parasitosis, in particular extraintestinal amebiasis.
What is Chloroquine?
Chloroquine is used to kill malaria-causing parasites by interfering with their metabolism.
How should Chloroquine be taken?
Chloroquine may be administered via injection or orally in the form of tablets.
Side effects associated with Chloroquine
Among the possible side effects of chloroquine include the following:
- Loss of appetite
- Coordination difficulties
- Dizziness
- Mild headache
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
It is important to contact a doctor right away if you experience:
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in the chest
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
- Strange behavior
- Changes in the color of the skin or oral mucosa
- Diarrhea
- Vision problems
- Fever or sore throat
- Hair loss
- Hearing loss
- Mood swings
- Tinnitus
- Convulsions
- Sensitivity to light
- Bleeding or bruising
- Weakness
- Weight loss
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Chloroquine
Chloroquine should not be taken in case of vision problems, retinal detachment or if you are already taking arsenic, astemizole, terfenadine, cimetidine, cisapride, quinacrine, or dofetilide.
Before treatment with chloroquine, it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drug or food
- You are taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: cimetidine, quinacrine, ampicillin, rabies vaccine, thyroid hormones, arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, terfenadine or cyclosporine
- You are suffering (or have suffered) from porphyria or another type of blood disease, G6PD deficiency, seizures, psoriasis, gastrointestinal problems, liver disease or central nervous system disorders
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
The medication can increase sensitivity to the sun. In such cases, sunscreen should be used to protect the skin from the sun’s rays. Chloroquine can also interfere with the ability to drive or operate dangerous machinery. Furthermore, its effect can be aggravated by alcohol or other drugs.
