Chloroquine Phosphate

Antimalarial · 4-Aminoquinoline

Indications

Syp/Tab: Malaria, hepatic amoebiasis, giardiasis, rheumatoid arthritis. Inj: Cerebral malaria.

Dosage

ORAL: Malaria suppressive: Adults: 500 mg weekly. Children: 5 mg/kg (as chloroquine base) at weekly intervals. Malaria therapeutic: Adults: 1000 mg initially then 500 mg daily. Children: 10 mg/kg on day1 then 5 mg/kg at 6 hrs, 24 hrs and 48 hrs interval after first dose. Hepatic amoebiasis: Adults: 500-1000 mg daily. INJECTION: Cerebral malaria: Adults: 200-300 mg (chloroquine base) by IV or IM inj.

Administration

Administered by IV or IM injection. Compatibility: Stable in NS. Stability: Store at 25°C (77°F). Excursions permitted to 15°C-30°C (59°F-86°F).

Adverse Effects

Headache, Gl distress. Skin eruptions, depigmentation, hair loss, blurred vision, corneal opacities, retinal damage, blood disorders, DRESS, diffuse parenchymal lung disease, acute extrapyramidal disorders, myelosuppression, convulsions, QT prolongation, cardiomyopathy, retinal damage and corneal changes.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Precautions: Impaired renal or hepatic function. Perform eye test before & during long-term therapy. History of epilepsy, psoriasis, porphyria, G6PD deficiency, myasthaenia gravis. Severe gastrointestinal, neurological or blood disorders. Congenital, acquired or risk factors for QT prolongation. Risk of severe hypoglycaemia.

Interactions

Antacids, kaolin, cimetidine, mefloquine, cyclosporin, rabies vaccine, anticoagulants, amiodarone, digoxin, neostigmine, pyridostigmine, moxifloxacin, anticonvulsants, levothyroxine, agalsidase, drugs that prolong QT interval.

Advice to Patient

Take with meals. Complete full course of therapy, it may take upto 6 months. If there is constant headache, consult prescriber for analgesic. Contact prescriber if there is unusual fatigue, chest pain or palpitations, easy bruising or bleeding, changes in vision, rash or itching, constant diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, change in hearing, ringing in ears. Avoid alcohol during therapy. If you are using this medication for long period of time, have regular eye examinations. Avoid direct sunlight. Use sunscreen, wear proper clothing and eyewear to prevent photosensitivity.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid and almost complete. Metabolism: Partially hepatic to main metabolite, desethylchloroquine. Half-life elimination: 3-5 days. Time to peak serum concentration: Oral: Within 1-2 hours. Excretion: Urine (approx. 70%; approx. 35% as unchanged drug).

Brands with this active ingredient

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.