Generic Chloroquine

Common use

Chloroquine is an aminoquinoline which used to treat or prevent malaria infections and a certain type of parasitic infection. It kills malaria parasites, most likely by damaging their DNA (genetic material).



Dosage and directions

Chloroquine takes by mouth with a glass of water or food. Dosage various from type of infection:

1)Malaria

For Adults the recommended dose is 500 mg on exactly the same day of each week.

Fro children is 5 mg calculated as base, per kg of body weight, 10 mg base/kg may be taken in two divided doses, six hours apart.

2)Treatment of Acute Attack:

Fro adults is 1 g followed by an additional 500 mg after six to eight hours and a single dose of 500 mg on each of two consecutive days.



Note: this instruction presented here just for review. It's very necessary to consult with your doctor before using. It help you to get best results.



Precautions

If you will be taking Chloroquine in long period of time it can lead to such symptoms as any blood problems or muscle weakness that may be caused by this medicine. Call your doctor immediately if you experience change in vision occurs during or after treatment . If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, call your doctor immediately. Do not use this drug before you drive or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well .



Contraindication

Hypersensitivity, disorders of liver and kidneys functions, frank impairments of cardiac muscle (with rhythm disorders), illnesses of blood and nervous system, illnesses of retina and cornea of an eye, diabetes, chronic alcoholism. Do not use it if you is allergic to chloroquine or any ingredients of the medication or if you has certain visual problems due to chloroquine, similar medications, or any other cause (unless in the treatment of malaria it is decided that the benefits outweigh the risks)



Possible side effects

The most common side effects include: appetite loss; clumsiness; diarrhea; dizziness; feeling of whirling motion; mild headache; nausea; stomach cramps; vomiting. More serious if you experience one of this side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; change in color or skin or inside of mouth; diarrhea; difficulty seeing and reading (words, letters, or parts of objects missing when reading); fever or sore throat; hair loss; hearing loss; mood changes; ringing in the ears; seizures; sensitivity to sunlight; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual weakness; vision problems; weight loss. If you experience one of them stop using Chloroquine and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult with your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.



Drug interactions

Chloroquine interact with the following medicines: ampicillin, antacids that contain magnesium, cimetidine, cyclosporine, kaolin. An interaction between medications does not mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects the the effect of drugs, so consult with your doctor about how it interactions are being managed or should be managed.



Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Take your usually dose next day in the same regularly time.



Overdose

Symptoms of overdose include headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness, impairment of consciousness, disturbance of vision, convulsions and coma. Death due to respiratory distress may happen during 2 hours after the intake. If you experience one of them call your doctor immediately.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)