Chloroquine for malaria
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Examples
| Brand Name | Generic Name |
| Aralen | chloroquine phosphate |
You take chloroquine phosphate as a tablet (orally).
How It Works
Chloroquine phosphate prevents the development of malaria parasites in the blood. Doctors use it to both prevent and treat malaria. Chloroquine phosphate does not destroy the Plasmodium (P.) vivax and P. ovale parasites that may remain in the liver.
To prevent some strains of malaria, you take chloroquine phosphate once, 1 to 2 weeks prior to travel to an area where malaria is present, and then weekly while you are in the area, and weekly for 4 weeks after you depart from the area.
To treat malaria, you take chloroquine phosphate at several-hour intervals and at a higher dosage than when it's taken to prevent malaria.
Why It Is Used
Chloroquine phosphate is the drug of choice to prevent and treat malaria in some areas of the world.
Chloroquine phosphate is effective on all four species of parasites, including some strains of P. falciparum. However, in many areas, P. falciparum is resistant to chloroquine, and other medications must be used.
Chloroquine phosphate can also be used to prevent and treat P. falciparum and P. vivax infections in areas where drug resistance to chloroquine has not been confirmed. These areas include Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of the Middle East.1 Other parts of the world have confirmed resistance to chloroquine.
How Well It Works
Chloroquine phosphate is an effective drug to prevent and treat a malaria infection caused by P. ovale or P. malariae parasites. However, how well it works depends on how resistant the parasites are in the geographic location where the malaria infection occurred.
Drug therapy to prevent malaria is most effective if you take the correct dosage regularly. It's easier to remember if you take your weekly dosage with meals on the same day of the week each week, such as every Monday at lunch.
Side Effects
When you take chloroquine phosphate to prevent malaria, side effects may include:
- Nausea.
- Diarrhea.
- Dizziness.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Headaches.
- Temporary hair loss.
- Worsening of psoriasis a chronic skin condition.
Taking the drug with meals may help you to avoid stomach upset.
When you take chloroquine phosphate to treat malaria, side effects may include:
- Stomach (gastrointestinal) upset.
- Blurred vision or seeing flashes of light.
- Headaches.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Chloroquine phosphate is the most effective medication for preventing and treating a malaria infection caused by P. ovale or P. malariae parasites.
In some areas where malaria is common, travelers are sometimes advised to get a rabies vaccine if they are staying longer than 30 days. If you are taking chloroquine phosphate, make sure the rabies vaccine is injected into your muscle (intramuscular). Chloroquine phosphate can lessen the effectiveness of this vaccine when it is injected into the skin (intradermal).
Medicines to prevent malaria destroy the malaria parasite once it enters the bloodstream. To completely rid yourself of the parasite, take the medicine for 4 weeks after you leave the area where malaria is present.
If you are pregnant or have other medical considerations (very young or advanced age, other illnesses), talk to your doctor before taking chloroquine phosphate.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel, 2005–2006. Available online: http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybBrowseO.asp.
Credits
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease |
| Last Updated | May 16, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 16, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine, W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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