Chloroquine: what is it used for and side effects
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Chloroquine Diphosphate is a drug indicated for the treatment of malaria caused by plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and plasmodium ovaleextraintestinal amebiasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and diseases that cause sensitivity in eyes to light.
This medication can be purchased at pharmacies, upon presentation of a medical prescription.
It has also been studied as one of the possible medicines for the treatment of COVID-19, chloroquine does not have WHO approval, nor the main health agency for this purpose. Learn more about the main medicines for COVID-19.
The chloroquine dosage depends on the illness to be treated, and the pills must be taken after meals to avoid nausea and vomiting.
1. Malaria
The treatment of malaria with chloroquine is usually carried out together with the use of primaquine, another drug that helps to eliminate the infection. In the treatment schedule 150 mg chloroquine and 15 mg primaquine tablets are usedy varies from agreement to age and/or weight:
| age / weight | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 to 7 | Day 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 years (15 – 24 kg) |
1 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine (5mg) |
1 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine (5mg) |
1 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine (5mg) |
2 comp. primaquine (5mg) |
— |
| 9 to 11 years (25 – 34 kg) |
2 comp. chloroquine 1 comp. primaquine |
2 comp. chloroquine 1 comp. primaquine |
2 comp. chloroquine 1 comp. primaquine |
1 comp. primaquine |
— |
| 12 to 14 years (35 – 49 kg) |
3 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
2 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
2 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
1 comp. primaquine |
— |
| More than 15 years (50 – 69 kg) |
4 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
3 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
3 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
2 comp. primaquine |
— |
| More than 15 years (70 – 79 kg) |
4 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
3 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
3 comp. chloroquine 2 comp. primaquine |
2 comp. primaquine |
2 comp. primaquine |
Although there is a treatment regimen for the use of chloroquine for the treatment of malaria, it is important to consult a general doctor or a pediatrician to adjust the treatment according to the individual’s weight and health status.
There is no number of chloroquine tablets for children weighing less than 15 kg, and the therapeutic recommendations include fractionated tablets.
2. Lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
The maximum recommended dose in adults is 465 mg of chloroquine base (3 tablets) a day, for the first 10 days, continuing with the use of 155 mg of chloroquine base, a day, for more than 3 to 5 weeks.
3. Extraintestinal amebiasis
The recommended dose for adults is 465 mg of chloroquine base (3 tablets) per day in the first week, followed by 310 mg of chloroquine base (2 tablets) per day in the second week, and 155 mg of chloroquine base (1 tablet) ) per day in the third week of treatment.
In children, the recommended dose is 10mg/kg/day of chloroquine base for 2 days, followed by 5mg/kg/day for 14 to 28 days.
Is chloroquine recommended to treat COVID-19?
The WHO advises against the use of chloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19 and that most studies demonstrate that the drug does not reduce the time of hospitalization, does not reduce the rate of mortality nor does it prevent the development of a serious infection.
In addition, chloroquine is associated with an increase in adverse effects, especially diarrhea and vomiting, which can cause a decrease in blood pressure and kidney problems. Chloroquine also has a toxic potential on heart cells, so it should only be indicated when the benefits of its use are superior to the risks, which is not observed in cases of infection by COVID-19.
Know the results of the studies carried out with hydroxychloroquine and other medicines against the new coronavirus.
The most common side effects that can occur with the use of chloroquine are headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, comezón, irritation and red spots on the skin.
In addition, mental confusion, convulsions, drop in blood pressure, changes in the electrocardiogram and double or blurred vision may occur.
This medication should not be used in people who have hypersensitivity to any of the components present in the formula, people with epilepsy, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis or other exfoliative illnesses.
Furthermore, it should not be used to treat malaria in people with tardive cutaneous porphyria and should be used with caution in people with liver disease and gastrointestinal, neurological and blood disorders.
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