INDICATIONS
Chloroquine is indicated for your suppressive treatment and for acute attacks of malaria due to P. vivax, P.malariae, P. ovale, and susceptible strains of P. falciparum. The drug is also indicated for the management of extraintestinal amebiasis.
INSTRUCTIONS
Take chloroquine with meals or milk to reduce stomach upset, unless otherwise directed from your doctor.
t is essential that you take chloroquine only as directed. Do not take really it, don't take it more regularly, and don't take it for a longer period than your medical professional ordered. To do so may increase the probability of serious unwanted side effects.
If you're taking chloroquine to help keep you getting malaria, keep taking it to the full-time of treatment. If you currently have malaria, you ought to still keep taking chloroquine for the full time of treatment even if you set out to feel better right after days. This will help to the infection completely. If you stop taking chloroquine prematurily ., your symptoms may return.
Chloroquine is best suited when you go on a regular schedule. For example, if you are to take it once per week in order to avoid malaria, it is advisable to go on it on the same day per week. Or if you're to take two doses a day, one dose could possibly be taken with breakfast and the other while using evening meal. Make sure that you simply do not miss any doses. If you've got questions concerning this, talk with your quality of life care professional.
If you miss a dose of chloroquine, go as soon as possible. However, if it's almost time for your forthcoming dose, skip the missed dose and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
DOSAGE
The dosage of chloroquine phosphate is frequently expressed with regards to equivalent chloroquine base. Each 500 mg tablet of ARALEN provides the equal of 300 mg chloroquine base. In infants and children the dosage is preferably calculated by body mass.
Malaria: Suppression - Adult Dose: 500 mg (= 300 mg base) on a similar day of per week.
Pediatric Dose: The weekly suppressive dosage is 5 mg calculated as base, per kg of body mass, but must not exceed the adult dose regardless of weight.
If circumstances permit, suppressive therapy has to start two weeks ahead of exposure. However, failing this in older adults, a primary double (loading) dose of just one g (= 600 mg base), or in children 10 mg base/kg could possibly be drawn in two divided doses, six hours apart. The suppressive therapy needs to be continued for eight weeks after leaving the endemic area.
For Treatment of Acute Attack.
Adults: An initial dose of just one g (= 600 mg base) accompanied by an additional 500 mg (= 300 mg base) after six to eight hours and a single dose of 500 mg (= 300 mg base) on every one of two consecutive days. This represents an overall total dose of 2.5 g chloroquine phosphate or 1.5 g base in 3 days.
The dosage for adults of low weight and for infants and children needs to be determined as follows:
First dose: 10 mg base per kg (and not exceeding just one dose of 600 mg base).
Second dose: (6 hours after first dose) 5 mg base per kg (although not exceeding one particular dose of 300 mg base).
Third dose: (24 hours after first dose) 5 mg base per kg.
Fourth dose: (36 hours after first dose) 5 mg base per kg.
For radical cure of vivax and malariae malaria concomitant therapy having an 8-aminoquinoline compound is important.
Extraintestinal Amebiasis: Adults,1 g (600 mg base) daily for 2 days, followed by 500 mg (300 mg base) daily not less than two to three weeks. Treatment is usually combined having an effective intestinal amebicide.
STORAGE
Store the medicine in a very closed container at room temperature, faraway from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out from the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine don't needed.
Along featuring its needed effects, a medicine could potentially cause some unwanted side effects. Although not all of these unwanted side effects may occur, whenever they do occur they may need medical assistance. When chloroquine can be used abbreviated periods of time, unwanted side effects usually are rare. However, when it is utilized for quite a long time and/or perhaps high doses, unwanted effects are more likely to occur and could possibly be serious.
Check with your medical professional immediately if any of these negative effects occur:
Less common
Blurred vision
alteration of vision
eye pain
loss of vision
Rare
Black, tarry stools
blood in urine or stools
convulsions (seizures)
cough or hoarseness
feeling faint or lightheaded
fever or chills
increased muscle weakness
lower back or side pain
mood or any other mental changes
painful or difficult urination
pinpoint red spots on skin
ringing or buzzing in ears or any loss of hearing
sore throat
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Symptoms of overdose
Drowsiness
headache
increased excitability
Note: The unwanted side effects inside Less Common category above could also occur or become worse as soon as you stop taking chloroquine.
Some unwanted effects may occur that usually don't need medical attention. These side effects might go away during treatment as the body adjusts for the medicine. Also, your quality of life care professional may be able to tell you about ways to avoid or reduce a few of these side effects. Check with your wellbeing care professional if these things side effects continue or are bothersome or if you've questions about them:
More common
Diarrhea
difficulty in seeing to read
headache
itching (more established in black patients)
decrease of appetite
nausea or vomiting
stomach cramps or pain
Less common
Bleaching of hair or increased hair loss
blue-black discoloration of skin, fingernails, or in mouth
skin rash
Other negative effects unlisted might also happen in some patients. If you notice another effects, seek advice from your medical practioner.
If you'll be taking chloroquine for quite a long time, it is very important that a medical expert check you at regular visits for virtually any blood problems or muscle weakness that could be a result of chloroquine. In addition, talk with your physician immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want one to have your vision checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
If your symptoms don't improve inside a few days or if they become worse, check with a medical expert.
Make sure you are aware how you reply to chloroquine before you decide to drive, use machines, or do just about anything else that might be dangerous should you be not able to see well.
Chloroquine could potentially cause blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or another difference in vision. It might also cause many people for being lightheaded.
If these reactions are especially bothersome, consult your doctor.
Certain medicines ought not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain kinds of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines could also cause interactions to happen. Discuss along with your healthcare professional the usage of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies evaluating the protection and efficacy of chloroquine in expecting mothers. Usage of chloroquine while pregnant ought to be avoided except inside suppression or treatment of malaria when within the judgment with the physician the main benefit outweighs the possibility risk towards the fetus.
Airmail: 2-3 business weeks
EMS: 3-8 business days
Airmail: 2-3 weeks, EMS: 3-8 business days.