How to Use Chloroquine

Chloroquine is a medication used for the treatment of malaria, which is caused by one-celled organisms that infect and destroy red blood cells. Most people get malaria from infected mosquitoes. Malaria is common in Central and South America as well as sub-Saharan Africa, so travelers who spend time in these locations may be given a cycle of chloroquine prior to the trip. Chloroquine is used to prevent the contraction of malaria and to eradicate malaria from infected patients. Chloroquine is a fat-soluble drug that should not be used for long periods of time. As the drug dissolves, it kills the the parasite and gives patients immunity for several weeks.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat food within 30 minutes of taking the prescription dose. Eating food or drinking milk during treatment helps with stomach upset and nausea.

• 2

  Take only the prescribed dose. The typical dose for prevention in adults is 500 mg once every seven days. Children's doses are dependent on weight, but a typical dose for a child is 3.7 mg per pound every seven days. If an adult patient is already infected, a typical dose is 1.5 g once a day for three days. For infected children, a typical dose 18.9 mg per pound every day for three days.

• 3

  Take the medication at the same day and time. Chloroquine works best when taken on the same day (if taken weekly) or at the same time (when taken daily).

• 4

  Continue taking the medication while traveling. If you are prescribed chloroquine for the prevention of malaria, take the medication as prescribed approximately 2 weeks prior to traveling and continue taking it while in your destination country.

• 5

  Keep the medication away from children if the child is not prescribed the medication. Chloroquine has been known to cause death in children who have taken only one pill with an adult dose. Store the medication in a safe place.