Indications/Uses
Listed in Dosage.
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Dosage/Direction for Use
Adult: PO Acute malaria As base: Initial: 600 mg, then 300 mg 6-8 hr later on day 1. Continue w/ 300 mg/day on days 2 and 3. Malaria prophylaxis As chloroquine base: 300 mg once weekly preferably same day each week, starting 1 week before exposure, continuing throughout only on a weekly basis and for at least 4 weeks after exposure. Discoid and SLE; Rheumatoid arthritis As base: Initial: 150 mg/day. Max: 2.5 mg/kg/day. Hepatic amoebiasis As base: W/ emetine or dehydroemetine: 600 mg/day for 2 days then 300 mg/day for 2-3 wk.
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Administration
Should be taken with food.
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Contraindications
Hypersensitivity, known or suspected resistant P. falciparum infection, porphyria, retinal damage, concurrent hepatotoxic drugs.
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Special Precautions
Psoriasis, diseases of the haematopoietic or CNS systems, myasthenia gravis, hepatic or renal impairment, G6PD deficiency, epilepsy, childn. Pregnancy and lactation. Slow infusion is used upon IV admin to prevent cardiotoxicity.
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Adverse Reactions
Retinopathy, hair loss, photosensitivity, tinnitus, myopathy (long-term therapy). Psychosis, seizures, leucopenia and rarely aplastic anaemia, hepatitis, GI upsets, dizziness, hypokalaemia, headache, pruritus, urticaria, difficulty in visual accommodation.
Potentially Fatal: Cardiac and respiratory arrest, CV collapse, convulsions, coma. |
Drug Interactions
Concomitant therapy with phenylbutazone predisposes to dermatitis, antagonises effect of neostigmine and pyridostigmine, reduces bioavailability of ampicillin. Cimetidine inhibits metabolism of chloroquine raising plasma levels.
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ATC Classification
P01BA01 - chloroquine ; Belongs to the class of aminoquinoline antimalarials.
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