CHLOROQUINE

Chloroquine is a drug used to treat and prevent malaria. It is able to penetrate inside blood cells and kill the malarial parasite by inhibiting its metabolism. However, over the years, many patients have developed a resistance against the drug. Chloroquine may also help to treat other parasitic diseases.

GENERAL INFORMATIONS

antimalarial medication
usual dose :
- take 1 dose 1 time per week
- start the treatment 1-2 weeks before arrival, continue during the stay and for 4 weeks after leaving the area

INDICATIONS :

Official indications accepted in Canada:	Other possible indications:
Amoebiasis / hepatic abscess (adult and child) Malaria – treatment (adult and child) Malaria – prevention (adult and child)	Rheumatoid arthritis (child and adult) lupus erythematosus (child and adult) polymorphic eruption hypercalcemia sarcoidosis Juvenile arthritis (child) sarcoidosis solar urticaria

DOSES – MALARIA

Adults :

To prevent malaria, you should take 500 mg of chloroquine 1 times / week. Begin 1-2 weeks before departure and continue taking the drug during the stay. Then, after leaving the area, continue taking chloroquine for 4 weeks.

If an adult is suffering from malaria, take 1000 mg of chloroquine immediately. Then, take 500 mg at 6, 24 and 48 hours after the first dose.

Children ≥ 1 mois

To prevent malaria, take 8mg/kg 1 time/week (maximum of 500 mg). Begin 1-2 weeks before departure and continue taking the drug during the stay. Then, after leaving the area, continue taking chloroquine for 4 weeks.

If preventive treatment is not started before exposure, it is recommended to take a dose of 16.6 mg/kg in two divided doses at 6-hour intervals. Thereafter, continue treatment as mentioned above.

If the child has malaria, take 16.6 mg/kg (maximum 1000 mg) immediately and then 8 mg/kg (maximum 500 mg) at 6, 24 and 48 hours after the first dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effects are :

diarrhea (10% +)
nausea (10% +)
headache (0-1%)
itching (0-1%)
decreased appetite (0-1%)
photosensitivity (0-1%)
vomiting (0-1%)

Side effects associated with long term use of chloroquine:

visual field defect
corneal deposits
hypoglycemia
retinopathy
accommodation disorders
blurred vision

Side effects associated with overdose are: cardiovascular collapse, convulsions, drowsiness and hypokalemia.

PRECAUTIONS :

Pregnancy

Chloroquine intake during pregnancy does not seem to be dangerous for the fetus. In fact, the benefits for the mother are greater than the risks for the fetus. Chloroquine is then a product of choice for pregnant women.

Breasfeeding

As the passage of the molecules of chloroquine in breast milk is low, chloroquine can be taken during breastfeeding. The few studies on this topic are reassuring and do not seem to demonstrate any adverse effects on the child.

Contact lenses and view

Chloroquine seems to have potential side effects on vision. It is recommended to do an ophthalmic exam before starting the treatment and during it. If you seem to have blurred vision after taking the medication, it is recommended to stop the treatment immediately.

Food

Take the drug with food. This will help reduces the irritation and increases the bioavailability of the drug. Note that it is not advisable to chew or crush the product because it has bad taste. Limit the use of alcohol while taking the medication, because alcohol increases the risk of gastrointestinal irritation.

Contraindications

The contraindications related to this product are numerous. It is important to respect them to avoid further complications:

Alcohol: alcohol may increase the risk of complications. It must be consumed with caution during treatment.
Seizures: if you have a history of seizures, note that chloroquine increases the risk of seizures.
Renal impairment: if the kidney clearance is less than 10 mL / min, it is recommended to take only 50% of the usual dose. No additional dose is required if you are on dialysis.
Porphyria (active or history): chloroquine can exacerbate the symptoms of the disease.
Prolongation of the QT interval (active or history): chloroquine is contraindicate in this case, because it amplifies the symptoms of the disease.
Vision problems: it is not advisable to take this drug if you have vision problems. The medication can affect the retina and the visual field.

INTERACTIONS AND ALLERGIES

Interactions :	Allergies :
acarbose aluminum antacid carbutamide cyclosporine domperidone insulin kaolin magnesium praziquantel tamoxifen thioridazine	hydroxychloroquine primaquine

* Chloroquine has many interactions with other products