Chloroquine
Also sold as: Nivaquine, Resochin
Prescription neededMalaria medicines
Comes as:TabletSyrup
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor and depends on body weight. For vivax malaria the usual course is 3 days, often followed by primaquine. Take with food. Keep away from children — overdose is very dangerous.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- stomach upset
- headache
- itching of the skin
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- blurred vision
- seizures
- fainting or irregular heartbeat
- severe skin rash
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Allergy to chloroquine
- Epilepsy
- Heart rhythm problems
- Psoriasis (may get worse)
- Severe liver or kidney disease (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Both prolong the QT interval and can cause dangerous heart rhythms.
- Mefloquine
Together they raise the risk of seizures and heart rhythm problems.
Moderate2 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Aluminium hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide
Antacids reduce absorption; leave at least 4 hours between them.
- Rabies vaccine
Chloroquine can weaken the response to rabies vaccine, especially when given into the skin; the doctor may give it into the muscle.