• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

What is chloroquine?
Chloroquine is an antimalarial drug. The exact way that chloroquine works is unknown. Chloroquine is used to treat and to prevent malaria. Chloroquine is also used to treat infections caused by amoebae. Chloroquine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of chloroquine?

Stop taking chloroquine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (flushing; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; vision problems; rash; itching; or fever).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take chloroquine and talk to your doctor if you experience

• visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing;

• hearing loss or ringing in the ears;

• diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain or upset, vomiting, or loss of appetite;

• muscle weakness; or

• a rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take chloroquine?
Take chloroquine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take chloroquine with food to lessen stomach upset. It is important to take chloroquine regularly to get the most benefit. Store chloroquine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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What is the most important information I should know about chloroquine?
Use caution when driving or performing other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you. Chloroquine may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing. Report any vision or hearing changes to your doctor.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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What other drugs will affect chloroquine?
Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB) may increase the effects of chloroquine, which could lead to toxicity. Do not take cimetidine without first talking to your doctor. Kaolin and magnesium trisilicate may decrease the effects of chloroquine. These ingredients can be found in products such as Kaopectate Advanced Formula, Parepectolin, K-Pek, K-C, Kaodene Non-Narcotic, Kao-Spen, Gaviscon, and others. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with chloroquine. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, without frist talking to your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Chloroquine has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. There are no controlled data in human pregnancies. Congenital anomalies were reported in the offspring of one woman being treated with chloroquine 250 to 500 mg daily during pregnancy for SLE; however, chloroquine has been used in the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria during pregnancy without evidence of fetal harm. Chloroquine is the drug of choice for the prophylaxis and treatment of sensitive malaria species during pregnancy. Chloroquine should only be given during pregnancy when need has been clearly established.

Chloroquine is excreted into human milk. Chloroquine is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The manufacturer recommends that due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Hypersensitivity to chloroquine or other 4-aminoquinoline derivatives.
• Retinal or visual field changes attributable to 4-aminoquinoline derivatives or to any other etiology. After weighing the possible benefits and risks to the patient, some clinicians may elect to use chloroquine in these patients for treatment of acute attacks of malaria caused by susceptible Plasmodium.

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What does my medication look like?
Chloroquine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Aralen in 250 mg and 500 mg tablets. Aralen is also available as an injection. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a chloroquine overdose include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, visual changes, seizures, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chloroquine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have had a previous allergic reaction to chloroquine; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency; psoriasis; porphyria; or liver disease. You may not be able to take chloroquine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above. It is not known whether chloroquine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take chloroquine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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