Chloroquine

Chloroquine is used to treat or prevent malaria, a disease caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Chloroquine is not effective against all strains of malaria, or against malaria in areas where the infection has been resistant to a similar drug called hydroxychloroquine.

Introduction

Generic name: Chloroquine

Brand names: Aralen Phosphate, Aralen Hydrochloride

Dosage form: oral tablet (250 mg; 500 mg)

Drug classes: Amebicides, Antimalarial quinolines

Uses

Treatment of Malaria

Benefits

  • Lariago 250mg Tablet is used to treat malaria, a serious or life-threatening illness that is spread by a parasite that enters the human body by the bite of infected mosquitoes.

  • It kills the infection causing parasite and stops further spread of the infection.

  • Take it only as prescribed and refrain from taking any other medicines along with this medicine (unless advised by the doctor) as they may affect the absorption of this medicine.

  • Do not use this medicine for treating any other condition without consulting your doctor.

Directions for use

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lariago 250 mg Tablet is to be taken with food.

How it works?

Lariago 250mg Tablet is an antiparasitic medication that treats malaria. It works by increasing the levels of haeme in the blood, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.

Side effects

Chloroquine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • A seizure

  • Ringing in your ears, trouble hearing

  • Severe muscle weakness, loss of coordination, underactive reflexes

  • Low blood cell counts–fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath

  • Low blood sugar–headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky

  • A serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body–skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Taking chloroquine long-term or at high doses may cause irreversible damage to the retina of your eye. Stop taking chloroquine and tell your doctor if you have:

  • Blurred vision, trouble focusing, trouble reading

  • Distorted vision, poor night vision

  • Changes in your color vision

  • Hazy or cloudy vision

  • Seeing light flashes or streaks, seeing halos around lights

  • Increased sensitivity to light.

Common side effects of chloroquine may include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps

  • Headache

  • Unusual changes in mood or behavior

  • Hair loss

  • Changes in hair or skin color.

Warnings

  • Chloroquine can cause dangerous effects on your heart, especially if you also use certain other medicines. Seek emergency medical attention if you have fast or pounding heartbeats and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out).

  • Taking chloroquine long-term or at high doses may cause irreversible damage to the retina of your eye that could progress to permanent vision problems. You may not be able to use chloroquine if you have a history of vision changes or damage to your retina.

  • Stop taking chloroquine and call your doctor at once if you have blurred vision, trouble focusing, distorted vision, blind spots, trouble reading, hazy or cloudy vision, increased sensitivity to light.

What drugs will affect chloroquine?

  • Chloroquine can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.

  • If you take an antibiotic called ampicillin, take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take your chloroquine dose.

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