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Antimalarial / 4-aminoquinoline

Chloroquine

Brand names: Avloclor, Nivaquine

Chloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline used for the treatment and prevention of malaria caused by susceptible Plasmodium species and for certain rheumatological and dermatological conditions.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

In malaria it is concentrated in the parasite's digestive vacuole where it interferes with haem detoxification, leading to accumulation of toxic haem and parasite death.

Prescribing in practice

  • Overdose is dangerous and can be rapidly fatal owing to cardiotoxicity, so quantities supplied and storage away from children must be considered carefully.
  • Widespread resistance limits its use for malaria in many regions, so choice must follow current malaria prophylaxis and treatment guidance.
  • Caution is needed in epilepsy, in psoriasis and where there is pre-existing eye disease; it is contraindicated where retinopathy is established.

Monitoring

With long-term use, baseline and periodic ophthalmological assessment is recommended because of the risk of irreversible retinal toxicity.

Counselling the patient

  • If taken for malaria prevention, also use mosquito-bite avoidance measures.
  • Report any visual disturbance promptly, and keep the medicine well out of reach of children.

Evidence & guidelines

Use follows UK malaria prevention guidelines and MHRA advice; regional resistance data determine its suitability for malaria.

Reference: UK malaria guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Pathways