CHLOROQUINE, 155mg base, (250mg phosphate), tab.
Valid Article
CHLOROQUINE (CQ)
- In the WHO list of Essential Medicines 2023 (100 mg and 150 mg as phosphate or sulfate)
Therapeutic Action
Antimalarial
Indications
nly in areas where more than 5% of malaria diagnoses are due to non-falciparum malaria and chloroquine is still effective, chloroquine can still be considered for the treatment of confirmed P. vivax or P. ovale mono-infections.
Artemisinin-based combinations (ACTs) are also effective and may have benefits over chloroquine:
- faster parasites clearance than chloroquine;
- simplified protocols for all forms of uncomplicated malaria;
- long half-life allowing a longer period of suppressive post-treatment prophylaxis against relapse and reinfection;
- effective in treating undiagnosed P. falciparum in possible mixed infections
For confirmed mixed infections (P. falciparum plus P. vivax or P. ovale), ACTs are the treatment of choice as chloroquine is not effective against P. falciparum.
Instructions for use
WHO recommends labels and prescriptions in mg base, not in chloroquine salt (sulphate or phosphate). Non-standardised labelling of chloroquine, expressed either as salt or as base, leads to confusion, resulting in underdosing (ineffective treatment and risk of resistance) or overdosing (risk of intoxication).
- 100 mg base is equivalent to ± 130 mg sulfate or ± 160 mg phosphate or diphosphate
- 155 mg base is equivalent to ± 200 mg sulfate or ± 250 mg phosphate or diphosphate
(Cf Introduction: Expression of the medicines' active ingredients content)
Storage
Below 25°C ‐ Protect from sunlight