Outline of the summitic and how it is formulated
Pharmacologically active ingredient: chloroquine, commonly supplied as chloroquine phosphate which provides the active chloroquine base. This leaflet-style summary covers typical strengths, uses and practical points for UK residents and travellers.
Therapeutic category: antimalarial and antiparasitic agent. Its historic place is as a malaria prevention and treatment option where parasites remain sensitive, and as part of therapy for extraintestinal amebiasis.
Common tablet strengths seen in UK supply: 250 mg chloroquine phosphate tablets (approximately 155 mg chloroquine base), and in some sources 500 mg phosphate tablets (about 300 mg base).
Note for your attention: resistance, especially in Plasmodium falciparum, is widespread in many parts of the world. Always consult up-to-date travel health advice before using chloroquine.
Direct yourself to the suggestions | Glance at the following the dosing guidelines.
Traces and main uses
Chloroquine is authorised for the following clinical situations when parasites are susceptible:
- Prophylaxis (weekly suppression) and treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae, and for strains of P. falciparum that remain chloroquine-sensitive.
- Treatment of extraintestinal amebiasis, usually given together with a luminal amebicide to clear intestinal carriage.
Because resistance patterns vary widelyplease take a look and check. destination-specific guidance such as NHS Fit for Travel or seek advice at a travel clinic.
Guidance on taking chloroquine
Follow the prescriber's instructions. The general practical points below help reduce risk of harmful effects and improve adherence.
- Take with food or a milky drink if you experience stomach upset, unless told otherwise by your prescriber.
- Do not increase the dose, take it more often, or continue longer than advised; overdosing increases risk of serious harm.
- When used for travel prophylaxis, continue for the full recommended period after leaving the malarial area (see dosing protocol section for typical durations).
- If your schedule calls for a once-weekly pill, take it on the same weekday each week. For twice-daily regimens, taking with breakfast and with the evening meal is convenient.
Steps to take for a i did not take my dose: If you remember soon after the i did not take my dose, take it. If the next dose is due soon, ignore the i did not take my dose and stay on the usual timetable. Take only one dose and avoid a double dose.
Go back to the crest of the page | Initiate dose calculation guidance
Dosing recommendations for malaria and amebiasis
When dosing, many references express amounts as the chloroquine base equivalent. Common approximate conversions used in practice are listed below.
- 500 mg chloroquine phosphate is roughly equivalent to 300 mg chloroquine base.
- 250 mg chloroquine phosphate is roughly equivalent to 155 mg chloroquine base.
Prophylaxis for the suppression of malaria
Adults: a usual regimen is 500 mg chloroquine phosphate (about 300 mg base) taken once weekly on a fixed day of the week.
Toddlers: calculate 5 mg chloroquine base per kg body weight per week, not to exceed the adult weekly dose.
Start timing: ideally start 1 to 2 weeks before potential exposure. If travel is at short notice, a loading approach in adults may be used on day 1: 1 g chloroquine phosphate (approx 600 mg base) split into two doses 6 hours apart. Continue weekly during exposure and for 4 to 8 weeks after leaving the endemic area; historical guidance often cites 8 weeks.
Treatment of acute chloroquine-susceptible malaria
Typical adult schedule over three days:
- Day 1: initial 1 g chloroquine phosphate (approx 600 mg base), then after 6 to 8 hours give 500 mg phosphate (approx 300 mg base).
- Days 2 and 3: 500 mg chloroquine phosphate (approx 300 mg base) once daily.
Total adult course: around 2.5 g chloroquine phosphate (roughly 1.5 g base) over 3 days.
Pediatric dosing (weight-based; do not exceed adult single-dose maxima):
- First dose: 10 mg base per kg (single-dose maximum ~600 mg base).
- Second dose (6 hours after first): 5 mg base per kg (single-dose maximum ~300 mg base).
- Third dose (24 hours after first): 5 mg base per kg.
- Fourth dose (36 hours after first): 5 mg base per kg.
Radical cure and extraintestinal amebiasis
For Plasmodium plasmodium vivax or P. ovale infections add an 8-aminoquinoline such as primaquine or tafenoquine to eliminate liver hypnozoites; G6PD testing is required before using these drugs.
Amebic infection at extraintestinal sites example regimen: adults may receive 1 g chloroquine phosphate (approx 600 mg base) once daily for 2 days, followed by 500 mg phosphate once daily for at least 2 to 3 weeks, combined with a luminal amebicide to clear intestinal infection.
Always follow local guidance, clinical judgement, and any weight or comorbidity adjustments provided by your prescriber.
Up to the page top | Go to seasonal storage spaces provide room for off-season items.
Hot on a computer, there are memory and storage, each with a different role. and disposal
- Keep tablets in a tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture and bright light.
- Do not store in the freezer. Place medicines out of the reach of youngsters.
- Do not use expired medicine. Dispose of unwanted or out-of-date drugs via local pharmacy returns or household hazardous waste schemes as recommended by local authorities.
Reexamine the page's top | See safety information disclosure
Safety measures
Preliminary to starting chloroquine, discuss your full medical history with a clinician or pharmacist including eye problems, neuromuscular disorders, heart disease, blood disorders, and medication use.
- Long-term or high-dose therapy should prompt regular clinical review and tracking and monitoring of performance; possible checks include blood tests, muscle strength assessment and ophthalmic examination.
- Report any new vision changes immediately. Eye disease related to chloroquine can be serious and sometimes progress after stopping the drug.
- Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery if you experience dizziness, visual disturbance or other symptoms affecting alertness.
- Discuss alcohol, herbal supplements and other medications with your prescriber to check for the back and forth of communications in the user journey shape satisfaction..
- Pregnancy considerations: there are limited high-quality studies in pregnant women. Use for prevention or treatment of malaria may be considered if the clinician determines benefits outweigh realizable risks.
If illness worsens or does not improve in a few dayscontact medical professionals promptly.
Potential unwanted accompanying effects
Negative effects vary by dose and duration. Short courses are generally better tolerated than prolonged therapy. Access urgent medical care for signs of severe reactions.
Get swift medical help for sudden onset of symptoms
- Serious visual disturbance, eye pain, sudden change in perception or loss of vision.
- Signs of bleeding or infection such as unexpected bruising, black stools, blood in urine or stools, high fever or sore throat.
- Neurological events including seizures, marked confusion or severe mood changes.
- Severe muscle weakness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe abdominal or back pain.
More commonly reported reactions
- Gastrointestinal upset: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea or reduced appetite.
- Headache syndrome and transient visual blurring or difficulty focusing.
- Pruritus (itching), reported particularly in certain patient groups.
Scarcely seen but reported
- Papular rash on the skin, hair thinning or increased hair loss.
- Discoloration of the skin, nails or oral mucosa in rare cases.
Indicators of overdose case
- Excessive drowsiness, agitation or a pounding headache.
- Cardiac or neurological compromise in severe overdosed; this may require urgent hospital treatment.
If any adverse effect is persistent or troublesome, consult your healthcare provider for assessment and feasible change of therapy.
Options for replacement drugs and related treatments
The best antimalarial option depends on destination, parasite resistance, clinical history, pregnancy status and tolerance. Generally chosen substitutes include:
- Atovaquone/proguanil (e.g., Malarone and generics): frequently used for prophylaxis in areas with chloroquine resistance; also used in some treatment regimens.
- Doxycycline: a daily option for prevention in many regions; sun sensitivity is a notable side effect.
- Mefloquine: weekly prophylaxis option but may be unsuitable for those with a history of neuropsychiatric illness.
- Artemisinin-based combination therapies (for example artemether-lumefantrine): mainstay treatments for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in many countries (used for treatment, not prophylaxis).
- Quinine combined with doxycycline or clindamycin: used for management of severe or resistant malaria in some settings.
- Primaquine and tafenoquine: used to prevent relapse from P. vivax and P. ovale; both require G6PD deficiency testing before operating.
- Hydroxychloroquine: chemically related and used mainly for autoimmune conditions rather than routine malaria prophylaxis in resistant areas.
For intestinal amebiasis the usual systemic agents are metronidazole or tinidazole, followed by a luminal amebicide such as diloxanide furoate or paromomycin to clear carriage.
Discuss your itinerary and medical history with a travel clinic, GP or pharmacist to select the most appropriate regimen.
Go back to the very top | Look at common price tags in the UK.
Usual price ranges for the UK in GBP
Prices vary by supplier, brand, pack size and whether a private consultation fee applies. The ranges below are indicative for retail supply in the UK.
- Chloroquine phosphate 250 mg (commonly Avloclor) 20 tablets: roughly 8 to 12 pounds sterling.
- Chloroquine phosphate 500 mg tablets (where stocked): approximate range 10 to 20 pounds per 20-tablet pack.
- Atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone or generic): about 25 to 45 pounds for enough tablets for a short trip; longer supplies cost more.
- Doxycycline 100 mg capsules for prophylaxis: approximately 10 to 25 pounds for a multi-week supply.
- Mefloquine (Lariam) 250 mg: typically around 25 to 40 pounds for a standard course.
- Artemether-lumefantrine (Riamet) treatment pack: roughly 30 to 60 pounds depending on supplier.
- Primaquine or tafenoquine: variable pricing tiers often between 20 and 60 pounds plus costs for G6PD testing.
When ordering online, use UK-registered pharmacies that display the General Pharmaceutical Council logo. Check with a consultantation or private clinic fees may be additional and are not always included in the medicine price.
Open to page on top of the page | Legal classification and access rights
Status under Access under United Kingdom law control
- Regulatory bodies: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) oversees medicinal products; pharmacies are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- Classification: chloroquine preparations intended for malaria prophylaxis, such as Avloclor 250 mg, are typically supplied as Pharmacy (P) medicines and may be sold by a pharmacist following assessment. For treatment of malaria and other telltale signs supply is usually Prescription Only (POM).
- Travel clinics and community pharmacies: antimalarials can be dispensed under Patient Group Directions (PGDs), private prescription or after pharmacist assessment; remote supply is possible following a structured clinical questionnaire and pharmacist review.
- Advertising and import: Prescription-only medications cannot be advertised to the general public. Importing prescription medicines for personal use is restricted; using UK-registered suppliers helps ensure compliance and product quality.
- Always confirm current legal arrangements and supply processes with a pharmacist or clinic before purchasing.
If you are unsure whether chloroquine is suitable or legal for your use, seek advice from a UK pharmacist, your GP or a travel health clinic.
- Does the generic Fluoxetine provide equivalent treatment outcomes to the brand?
- How does generic Chloroquine stack up against the brand in efficacy?
- Are generic Fenbendazole besides the brand-name drug equally effective?
