Aralen Phosphate

Generic name: Chloroquine Phosphate

Drug class: Antimalarial, Amebicide

Dosage form: Tablets

Route of administration: Oral

Dose:

• Malaria Prophylaxis: Adults: 500 mg (300 mg base) once weekly on the same day each week. Pediatric: 5 mg base per kg of body weight weekly, not exceeding the adult dose.
• Acute Malaria Treatment: Adults: Initial dose of 1 g (600 mg base), followed by 500 mg (300 mg base) after 6-8 hours, then 500 mg (300 mg base) on each of two consecutive days. Total: 2.5 g (1.5 g base) over three days. Pediatric: Dosing based on body weight, with maximum single doses of 600 mg base for the first dose and 300 mg base for subsequent doses.
• Extraintestinal Amebiasis: Adults: 1 g (600 mg base) daily for two days, followed by 500 mg (300 mg base) daily for at least two to three weeks. Treatment is usually combined with an effective intestinal amebicide.

Mechanism of action: Chloroquine interferes with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells by inhibiting the conversion of heme to hemozoin, leading to the accumulation of toxic heme within the parasite.

Drug usage cases:

• Malaria prophylaxis and treatment
• Extraintestinal amebiasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis (off-label)
• Lupus erythematosus (off-label)
• Porphyria cutanea tarda (off-label)
• Sarcoidosis (off-label)

Drug contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity to chloroquine or related compounds
• Retinal or visual field changes caused by 4-aminoquinoline compounds
• Known hypersensitivity to chloroquine or related compounds
• Pre-existing retinal or visual field changes

Side effects:

• Common: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, heartburn, blurred vision, hair loss, upset stomach
• Serious: Deafness, vision loss, liver damage, seizures, low blood cell counts, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Ophthalmic: Corneal changes leading to blurred vision

Warnings:

• May cause blurred vision; avoid driving or hazardous activities until effects are known
• Risk of heart rhythm problems, including QT prolongation; use caution in patients with heart conditions
• May cause hemolytic anemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
• Use with caution in patients with liver or kidney disease; dosage adjustments may be necessary
• Overdose can be fatal; seek immediate medical attention in case of overdose

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: Chloroquine is classified as a Category C drug for pregnancy, indicating that risk cannot be ruled out. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Chloroquine is excreted in breast milk; caution should be exercised when administered to a nursing woman.