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Chloroquine drug information
Medication Information: Chloroquine is mainly used to prevent malaria. This medicine can be used alone or in combination with other anti-malarial medicines to increase the effectiveness of this medicine. It is also used to treat some types of malaria.
Malaria is a serious infection that is common in parts of tropical countries such as Africa, Asia and South America. Malaria is a disease that is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes. A parasite called Plasmodium lives inside the stomach of infected female mosquitoes and is transmitted to humans by bites. Chloroquine is also available in pharmacies with and without a prescription.
Chloroquine, prescribed by your doctor, is also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, although other treatments are usually preferred. Both of these diseases are autoimmune. This means that your immune system (normally protecting your body against infection) mistakenly attacks itself (the body’s various organs); This causes pain and damage to various organs of the body. Chloroquine is used in some people to help reduce the damage caused by these diseases.
Contraindications to the drug Chloroquine
- Pay attention to the expiration date of the medicine and do not take it if the medicine in your hand has expired.
Never give the medicine to anyone else, even if you have the same symptoms.
- Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor.
- Check for drug interactions and be sure to tell your doctor what other medications you are taking.
Chloroquine drug interactions
Drug interactions may alter drug performance and increase the risk of serious side effects. Make a list of all the medicines (including prescription / over-the-counter medicines and herbal products) you use and share them with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not change the dose of your medicine without consulting your doctor or stop taking the medicine.
Some drugs that may interact with chloroquine include agalsidase, mefloquine, penicillamine, sulfadoxine / pyrimethamine, and drugs that may damage the liver. acetaminophen), isoniazid, alcohol.
Chloroquine can affect the rate at which other drugs are eliminated from the body and thus affect the function of these drugs. Examples of these drugs include: cyclosporine, praziquantel.
In addition to chloroquine, many medications may affect heart rhythm (prolongation of QT time), including: amiodarone, moxifloxacin, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol ); Therefore, before using chloroquine, make a list of all the medications you are taking and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
Cimetidine is a over-the-counter medication commonly used to treat excess stomach acid. As cimetidine and other antacids may interact with chloroquine, ask your pharmacist about other medications.
Take chloroquine at least 2 hours before or after taking ampicillin. Chloroquine may lower the amount of ampicillin in your body and cause ampicillin to not work.
Tips to consider before taking Chloroquine
Some medications cannot be prescribed under certain conditions, and some medications may be prescribed if additional treatment is needed; Therefore, it is best for your doctor to be aware of the following before taking chloroquine.
- If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
- If you have kidney or liver problems.
- If you have epilepsy.
- If you have psoriasis (a skin disorder).
- If you have myasthenia gravis (a condition that causes muscle weakness).
- If you have stomach or intestinal problems.
If you are deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) (an inherited disorder that affects people after eating certain foods, such as beans).
- If you have porphyria (a rare inherited blood disorder).
- If you are taking other medicines. These include all available medicines, whether prescribed or used by your doctor, such as herbal medicines and supplements.
- If you are allergic to any medicine.
Possible side effects of Chloroquine
All medications can cause side effects; But many consumers also do not experience any side effects. Some of the side effects go away after a short time of taking the medicine. In case of persistent side effects, the physician should be informed:
- Feeling sick, diarrhea, headache, dizziness and lightheadedness, hair loss, skin discoloration, itchy skin rash
Consult your doctor if you have any other symptoms that you feel are due to the use of chloroquine.
How to store Chloroquine
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children. Chloroquine is rapidly absorbed and is extremely dangerous for children.
- Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.