- How to use
- 1. Malaria
- 2. Lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
- 3. Hepatic amebiasis
- Who should not use
- Possible side effects
Chloroquine diphosphate is a drug indicated for the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium ovale , liver amebiasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and diseases that cause sensitivity of the eyes to light.
This medicine can be purchased in pharmacies, upon presentation of a prescription.
How to use
Chloroquine dosage depends on the disease to be treated:
1. Malaria
In children between 1 and 2 years old, the recommended dose is one tablet in a single dose, from 3 to 6 years old, the recommended dose is one tablet per day for three days and from 7 to 11 years old, the recommended dosage is two tablets on the first day and one and a half tablets on the second and third days.
For people aged 15 and over, the recommended dose is four tablets on the first day and three tablets on the second and third days. The treatment of malaria caused by P. vivax and P. ovale with chloroquine should be associated with primaquine for 7 days.
2. Lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
The maximum recommended dose in adults is 4 mg / kg per day, for one to six months, depending on the treatment response.
3. Hepatic amebiasis
The recommended dose in adults is 600 mg of chloroquine on the first and second days, followed by 300 mg per day for two to three weeks.
In children, the recommended dose is 10 mg / kg / day of chloroquine, for 10 days or at the doctor's discretion.
Who should not use
This medicine should not be used in people who are hypersensitive to any of the components present in the formula, people with epilepsy, myasthenia gravis, psoriasis or other exfoliative disease.
In addition, it should not be used to treat malaria in people with porphyria cutanea tarda and should be used with caution in people with liver disease and gastrointestinal, neurological and blood disorders.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that can occur with the use of chloroquine are headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, itching, irritation and reddish patches on the skin.
In addition, mental confusion, seizures, drop in blood pressure, changes in the electrocardiogram and double or blurred vision can also occur.
