Chloroquine Phosphate Oral

Chloroquine phosphate is in a class of drugs called antimalarials and amebicides. It is used to prevent and treat malaria. It is also used to treat amebiasis. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Chloroquine phosphate comes as a tablet to take by mouth. For prevention of malaria in adults, one dose is usually taken once a week on exactly the same day of the week. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take for each dose. One dose is taken beginning 2 weeks before traveling to an area where malaria is common, while you are in the area, and then for 8 weeks after you return from the area. If you are unable to start 2 weeks before traveling, your doctor may tell you to take double the dose right away. For treatment of acute attacks of malaria in adults, one dose is usually taken right away, followed by half the dose 6 to 8 hours later and then half the dose once a day for the next 2 days. For prevention and treatment of malaria in infants and children, the amount of chloroquine phosphate is based on the child's weight. Your doctor will calculate this amount and tell you how much chloroquine phosphate your child should receive. For treatment of amebiasis, one dose is usually taken for 2 days and then half the dose every day for 2 to 3 weeks. It is usually taken in combination with other amebicides. Chloroquine phosphate may cause an upset stomach. Take chloroquine phosphate with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use chloroquine phosphate exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Side effects from chloroquine phosphate can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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headache</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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skin rash or itching</li>
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hair loss</li>
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mood or mental changes</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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seeing light flashes and streaks</li>
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blurred vision</li>
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reading or seeing difficulties (words disappear, seeing half an object, misty or foggy vision)</li>
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difficulty hearing</li>
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ringing in ears</li>
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muscle weakness</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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vomiting</li>
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irregular heartbeats</li>
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convulsions</li>
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difficulty breathing</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before using chloroquine phosphate, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to chloroquine phosphate, chloroquine hydrochloride (Aralen HCl), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), cimetidine (Tagamet), iron products, isoniazid (Nydrazid), kaolin, magnesium trisilicate (Gaviscon), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), niacin, rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), and vitamins and herbal products. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, G-6-PD deficiency, hearing problems, porphyria or other blood disorders, psoriasis, vision changes, weakness in your knees and ankles, or if you drink large amounts of alcohol. tell your doctor if you have ever had vision changes while taking chloroquine phosphate, chloroquine hydrochloride (Aralen HCl), or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil).

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.