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Chloroquine
From WikEM
Contents
Administration
- Type: Antimalarial
- Dosage Forms:
- Routes of Administration: Oral
- Common Trade Names: (Aralen)
Adult Dosing
Most malaria-endemic areas have high rates of chloroquine resistance. Per the CDC, chloroquine-sensitive areas include: Central America west of the Panama Canal, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and most of the Middle East. See [CDC malaria information by country] for details
- Uncomplicated malaria treatment: 1000 mg PO, followed by 500mg PO at 6, 24, and 48 hours after first dose
- Malaria prophylaxis: 500 mg PO weekly beginning 1 to 2 weeks prior to travel to malarious area through 4 weeks after departure
Pediatric Dosing
- Uncomplicated malaria treatment: 16.6 mg/kg PO (max 1 g), followed by 8.3 mg/kg PO at 6, 24, and 48 hours after first dose
- Malaria prophylaxis: 8.3 mg/kg PO weekly beginning 1 to 2 weeks prior to travel to malarious area through 4 weeks after departure
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Rating: C
- Lactation risk: Infant risk minimal
- Renal dosing: reduce dose by 50% if CrCl < 10
- Hepatic dosing: may need serum drug level monitoring as 30-50% of dose modified by liver
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
- Retinal or visual field changes
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- Prolonged QT, AV block
- Heart failure
- SJS
- Neutropenia
- Extrapyramidal disease
- Seizure
- Retinopathy
Common
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 1-2 months
- Metabolism: Hepatic
- Excretion: Renal, fecal
Mechanism of Action
- Precise mechanism unknown, action thought to be due to interaction with DNA
