Chloroquine

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Chloroquine 250 mg: A Comprehensive Review Anne Swanston, Medical Writer July 2022

Introduction:

Chloroquine 250 mg is a prescription medication primarily used in the prevention and treatment of malaria. It has also shown promising results in the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The drug belongs to the antimalarial and amebicide drug class. This comprehensive review aims to provide an in-depth overview of chloroquine 250 mg, including its indications, dosage, side effects, interactions, and where to purchase it.

Indications and Uses:

Chloroquine 250 mg is mainly indicated for the prevention and treatment of malaria caused by susceptible strains of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. It is also effective against trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebiasis. Additionally, chloroquine has been used to treat certain autoimmune diseases, such as:

• Lupus: It helps reduce flares and prevents permanent tissue damage. • Rheumatoid arthritis: Chloroquine can relieve inflammation and joint pain associated with this condition.

Dosage and Administration:

The dosage of chloroquine 250 mg varies depending on the indication and patient factors. Here are the common dosing regimens:

For Malaria Prevention:

For Malaria Treatment:

For Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Chloroquine should be taken with food or milk to minimize stomach upset. Doses should be spaced out evenly and not taken with antacids containing magnesium. It's essential to complete the full treatment course for malaria prevention or treatment.

Side Effects:

Common side effects of chloroquine 250 mg include:

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, anorexia Dermatological: Skin rash, pruritus, hair loss Neurological: Headache, dizziness, emotional disturbances, blurred vision Cardiovascular: Hypotension Hematological: Anemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia

Rare but serious side effects:

Interactions and Contraindications:

Chloroquine may interact with certain medications, such as:

Chloroquine is contraindicated in patients with:

Where to Buy Chloroquine 250 mg:

Chloroquine 250 mg can be purchased from various sources, including:

  1. Local pharmacies: With a valid prescription from a healthcare professional.
  2. Online pharmacies: Many reputable online pharmacies sell chloroquine 250 mg. However, ensure the pharmacy is licensed and sells genuine products.
  3. International pharmacies: Online pharmacies based in other countries may offer lower prices or more convenient shipping options.
  4. Wholesale drug distributors: For bulk purchases, often used by healthcare facilities and pharmacies.

When buying online, make sure to choose a trustworthy site, read product reviews, and verify the product's authenticity. It's crucial to consult a doctor before purchasing chloroquine, especially for off-label uses.

Conclusion:

Chloroquine 250 mg is a widely used medication for malaria prevention and treatment, as well as for certain autoimmune conditions. Understanding its indications, dosage, side effects, and interactions is essential for safe and effective use. Patients should consult their doctor before starting treatment and follow their advice closely. Chloroquine can be purchased from local pharmacies, online pharmacies, international pharmacies, or wholesale drug distributors. However, it's vital to ensure the authenticity and quality of the product, especially when buying online.

References:

  1. Chloroquine. (2022). MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601240.html
  2. Chloroquine 250 mg. (n.d.). Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/dose/chloroquine.html
  3. Chloroquine. (2022). PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Chloroquine
  4. Chloroquine. (2022). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/resources/pdf/fspdrugs/chloroquine.pdf

How to Prevent and Treat Malaria: A Comprehensive Guide Introduction Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that normally spreads through the bite of an infected mosquito. It's widespread in many parts of the world, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. Malaria kills more than 400,000 people each year—mostly children under the age of 5 living in the African region. Even though it's a life-threatening disease, malaria is treatable and preventable. In this article, we'll look at how to prevent and treat malaria.

How Malaria Spreads The malaria parasite typically enters the body through a mosquito bite. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite and transmit malaria. When a mosquito bites an infected person, it ingests malaria parasites found in the person's blood. The parasites then go through development inside the mosquito. When an infected mosquito bites another person, it regurgitates the parasites into that person's bloodstream. In the human body, the parasites multiply inside the red blood cells. Symptoms of malaria can appear 10–15 days after the infective mosquito bite.

Malaria parasites belong to the genus Plasmodium. The parasites that cause malaria in humans are Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous, as it can cause severe and life-threatening malaria.

Symptoms of Malaria The symptoms usually appear within a few weeks after being infected, but they can appear as late as several months after infection. The classic symptom of malaria is flu-like—shaking chills that can range from moderate to violent, which are usually accompanied by fever, which can reach as high as 104°F (40°C). Patients may also experience: • Muscle and back pain • Fatigue • Sweating • Cough • Nausea and vomiting • Diarrhea • Diarrhea • Mild jaundice Malaria can also cause anemia, which is a low red blood cell count. Thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) is common in malaria.

Preventing Malaria Since malaria is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, prevention methods focus on avoiding mosquito bites. Here are some tips:

  1. Wear protective clothing: When outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks. Tucking your pant legs into your socks can help prevent bites.
  2. Apply insect repellent: Use an insect repellent that contains at least 20% DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin and clothing. Always follow product instructions and take care when applying on children.
  3. Stay in air-conditioned or screened areas: Mosquitoes are less active in air-conditioned spaces. Screening can help prevent mosquitoes from entering your home or hotel room.
  4. Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes need standing water to breed. Eliminate standing water around your home by emptying containers, fixing leaky faucets, and keeping your home clean.
  5. Use mosquito nets: Use air-conditioned or screened rooms and bed nets if air-conditioned screening is not available. The mesh size should have at least 156 holes/in2 (25 holes/cm2). Bed nets can be draped under the mattress or tucked beneath the bed to prevent mosquitoes from crawling underneath.
  6. Eliminate mosquito breeding sites: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so removing their breeding sites is crucial. This includes flowerpots, bird baths, and clogged drains.

Medications to Prevent Malaria In areas where malaria is common, antimalarial drugs can help prevent the disease. The most common antimalarial drugs are:

  1. Chloroquine (Aralen)
  2. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
  3. Mefloquine (Lariam)
  4. Doxycycline
  5. Atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone)
  6. Primaquine

The choice of drug depends on several factors, including the threat of malaria in the destination, local drug resistance patterns, the patient's age, health, and medications they're taking. Always consult your doctor or a travel clinic about the appropriate antimalarial drugs for your destination and medical history.

Treating Malaria Malaria is usually treated with antimalarial drugs. The type of drug used depends on the species of parasite, the severity of the disease, and the patient's age and overall health.

Chloroquine was previously the drug of choice for treating uncomplicated malaria caused by P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. malariae, and P. ovale. However, due to the widespread resistance of P. falciparum to chloroquine, artesunate is now the drug of choice for treating severe P. falciparum malaria.

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. ACT drugs include:

  1. Artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem)
  2. Artesunate-mefloquine
  3. Artesunate-sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine
  4. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine

Primaquine is used to treat P. vivax and P. ovale infections, as they can relapse from a dormant liver stage. Doxycycline, atovaquone-proguanil, or mefloquine is used to treat malaria caused by P. falciparum.

Severe malaria requires immediate treatment with intravenous artesunate. If artesunate is not available, intramuscular artemether or quinine can be used. However, quinine is associated with more adverse events compared to artesunate.

Preventing Relapses of P. vivax and P. ovale P. vivax and P. ovale have liver stages that allow them to remain dormant and cause a relapse. Primaquine is the drug of choice for preventing relapses of P. vivax and P. ovale. However, primaquine should not be given to people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, as it can cause hemolysis.

Frequently Asked Questions Q: What are the most common antimalarial drugs? A: The most common antimalarial drugs are chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, mefloquine, doxycycline, atovaquone-proguanil, and primaquine.

Q: How long does it take for malaria symptoms to appear after infection? A: Malaria symptoms usually appear within 10–15 days after being infected, but they can appear as late as several months after infection.

Q: What is the most dangerous species of malaria parasite? A: Plasmodium falciparum is the most dangerous, as it can cause severe and life-threatening malaria.

Q: Can malaria be spread from person to person? A: Malaria is not spread from person to person like a cold or the flu. The parasite must first infect a mosquito, which then infects a person.

Q: What is the recommended treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria? A: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.

Q: What is the drug of choice for preventing relapses of P. vivax and P. ovale? A: Primaquine is the drug of choice for preventing relapses of P. vivax and P. ovale infections.

Conclusion Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. While it's widespread in many parts of the world, malaria is preventable and treatable. Preventing mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing, applying insect repellent, and eliminating standing water can help prevent malaria. Antimalarial drugs can also help prevent and treat malaria. If you suspect you have malaria, seek medical attention immediately, as malaria can be life-threatening if left untreated.