Chloroquine Pharmacology

Chloroquine

About Chloroquine
4- Aminoquinoline, excellent schizonticide, Antimalarial, amebicide, anti inflammatory and local irritant.
Mechanism of Action of Chloroquine
Malarial parasites digest their own haemoglobin and release highly toxic heme. This heme is used up by parasitic polymerase enzyme and converted to non toxic haemozoin.Since Chloroquine is a weak base it has high affinity towards acidic lysosome.Chloroquine inhibits polymerase enzyme and interfere the formation of haemozoin and results in accumulation of toxic haeme and also it binds with haeme to form haeme- Chloroquine complex. These lead to membrane lysis and kill the parasite.
Pharmacokinets of Chloroquine
Absorption: It is well absorbed after oral administration.Distribution: It is distributed in protein bound form and concentrated in melanin containing cells.Metabolism: some drugs undergo metabolism in the liver. Excretion: It is excreted mainly through urine.
Onset of Action for Chloroquine
2 - 3 days
Duration of Action for Chloroquine
7 days
Half Life of Chloroquine
3 - 10 days
Side Effects of Chloroquine
1.Nausea
2.Vomiting
3.Diarrhoea
4.Abdominal cramps
5.Pruritis
6.Headache
7.Dizziness
8.Hypotension
9.Visual disturbances
Contra-indications of Chloroquine
1.Hypersensitivity to Chloroquine and other 4 Amino quinolines
2.Porphyria
3.Retinal damage
Special Precautions while taking Chloroquine
Hepatic dysfunction
1.Renal impairment
2.Epilepsy
3.Patients with G -6-PD deficiency
4.Preexisting retinal damage
5.Haematological disorder
6.Gastrointestinal disorder

Pregnancy Related Information
Use with caution
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Use with caution
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Chloroquine
1.Malaria
2.Rheumatoid arthritis
3.Extraintestinal amoebiasis
4.Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
Interactions for Chloroquine
Antacids: Reduced absorption.
Cholinergics: Effects of Neostigmine and pyridostigmine antagonized.
Cimetidine: Inhibits metabolism raising plasma levels.
Pyrimethamine, Sulphadoxine: May cause Steven-Johnson`s Syndrome.
Quinacrine: Increased toxicity with quinacrine.
Phenylbutazone: Predisposes to dermatitis.
Ampicillin: Bioavailability of ampicillin reduced.

Typical Dosage for Chloroquine
Adult: Initial dose: 600 mg base; after 6 hours 300 mg base; third and forth dose (300 mg base) is administered after 24 and 48 hours of initial dose.
Rheumatoid arthritis: 250 mg once daily at night
Extraintestinal amoebiasis: 600 mg once daily for 2 days followed by 300 mg once daily for 14 - 21 days
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: 250 mg once daily at night
Children: Initial dose: 10mg /kg body weight; after 6 hours 5mg /kg body weight; third and forth dose (5mg /kg body weight) is administered after 24 and 48 hours of initial dose.

Schedule of Chloroquine
H
Storage Requirements for Chloroquine
The drug should be stored in cool dark place. Protect away from sun light. Keep out of the reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Chloroquine
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time to take the next dose then skip the missed dose.
Effects of Overdose of Chloroquine
Give supportive measures and treatment. Induce emesis or gastric lavage has to be done followed by administration of charcoal. To control seizure Thiopentone can be given to the patient. If necessary peritoneal dialysis may be used

Home Delivery for Chloroquine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including chloroquine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for chloroquine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for chloroquine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take chloroquine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for chloroquine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for chloroquine with the pharmacy.

Chloroquine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for chloroquine might be better known than chloroquine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have chloroquine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for chloroquine.