Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Chloroquine can reduce the antibody response to primary immunization with
intradermal human diploid-cell rabies vaccine.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING SAFETY: There are no studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of
chloroquine in pregnant women. Use of chloroquine during pregnancy should be
avoided unless it is necessary and the benefit outweighs the risk. Chloroquine is excreted in breast milk.
STORAGE: Chloroquine should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F).
For acute malaria attacks in adults the initial dose is 1 g followed by an
additional 500 mg after 6 to 8 hours, then 500 mg 24 and 48 hours after the
The dose for treating children is 10 mg/kg for the first dose then 5 mg/kg
daily for 2 days, starting 6 hours after the first dose.
The dose for treating intestinal amebiasis is1 g daily for two days, followed
by 500 mg daily for at least two to three weeks.
Chloroquine usually is combined
with an effective intestinal amebicide.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM:
Chloroquine is an anti-malarial drug. It is similar
to hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) and is useful in treating several forms of
malaria as well as amebiasis that has spread outside of the
Its mechanism of action is unknown; however, malarial parasites invade human red
blood cells, and chloroquine may prevent malarial parasites from breaking down
hemoglobin in human
red blood cells.
Chloroquine is effective
against the malarial parasites Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and
susceptible strains of P. falciparum.