Chloroquine

Chloroquine:-

Chloroquine is a front line anti-malarial drug. It acts actively against all four species of malarial parasite i.e protozoan parasite Plasmodium. It is also used for the treatment of extraintestinal amoebiasis, rheumatoid arthritis, discoid lupus erythematosus, lepra reaction, photogenic reaction, and infectious mononucleosis.

• Chloroquine shows its effect very quickly and controls most clinical symptoms in just 1-2 days after administration.
• The therapeutic plasma concentration for an effective anti-malarial effect is 15-30 ng/ml.
• Chloroquine is also effective against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia.
• Chloroquine also has anti-inflammatory, local irritant, local anesthetic, weak smooth muscle relaxant, anti-histaminic and anti-arrhythmic properties.

Compositions of Chloroquine are:-

    Chloroquine generally comes in the composition of  Chloroquine Phosphate as the trade name of:-

• Resochin
• Lariago 
• Nivaquin-P 
• Cloquin
• 500mg forte tablet

• The general taste of chloroquine is bitter and should not be chewed.

• Chloroquine mode of action is not well known but supposed to show its action by inhibiting degradation of hemoglobin by parasitic lysosomes by altering the pH of acidic vacuoles of the parasite.
• Chloroquine has no effect on primary and secondary hepatic stages of the parasite along with no gametocidal activity.
• Due to its ability to prevent lysis of hemoglobin, it is used along with certain drugs in viral infections like coronavirus infection, AIDS, etc.
• Peoples of Southeast Asian countries develop resistance toward chloroquine slowly.
• The self-life of chloroquine in plasma varies between 3-10 days and may persist up to 1-2 months between tight tissue binding in small quantities.
• The toxicity of chloroquine is low but some side effects may be seen.
• Adverse effects (side effects) of chloroquine may include nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, uneasiness, anorexia, uncontrollable itching, headache and difficulty in accommodation.
• No abortifacient or teratogenic effects has been reported for chloroquine till now, hence chloroquine can be used for the treatment of malaria during pregnancy time.
• Chloroquine is not compatible with mefloquine, amiodarone and other antiarrhythmic drugs, hence it should not be coadministered.
• If during treatment with chloroquine, symptoms of liver damage, severe gastrointestinal effects, neurological effect, and hematological disease are seen then stop its use and consult to doctor.

Reference- K.D Tripathi Medical Pharmacology 8th Edition.