Chloroquine tablets

What is this medication?

CHLOROQUINE (KLOR oh kwin) is used to treat or prevent malaria infections. It is also used to treat amebiasis.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Aralen

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• eye disease, vision problems
• G6PD deficiency
• hearing problems
• heart disease
• history of irregular heartbeat
• if you often drink alcohol
• liver disease
• porphyria
• psoriasis
• seizures
• an unusual or allergic reaction to chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Avoid taking antacids within 4 hours of taking this medicine. It is best to separate these medicines by at least 4 hours. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cisapride
• dronedarone
• pimozide
• thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• ampicillin
• antacids
• cimetidine
• cyclosporine
• kaolin
• medicines for diabetes, like insulin, glipizide, glyburide
• mefloquine
• other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
• praziquantel
• rabies vaccine
• tamoxifen

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medicine. If you take other medicines that can affect heart rhythm, you may need more testing. Talk to your health care professional if you have questions.

Your vision may be tested before and during use of this medicine. Tell your health care professional right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• changes in vision
• decreased hearing or ringing of the ears
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• seizures
• sensitivity to light
• signs and symptoms of a dangerous change in heartbeat or heart rhythm like chest pain; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; palpitations; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; breathing problems
• signs and symptoms of low blood sugar such as feeling anxious; confusion; dizziness; increased hunger; unusually weak or tired; sweating; shakiness; cold; irritable; headache; blurred vision; fast heartbeat; loss of consciousness
• suicidal thoughts
• uncontrollable head, mouth, neck, arm, or leg movements

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• confusion
• diarrhea
• hair loss
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• stomach pain
• trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.