Chloroquine
Chloroquine is an antimalarial medicine used only for susceptible malaria parasites and selected travel routes. It is not suitable for routine self-treatment because resistance is common and malaria can worsen quickly.
Key points
- The parasite species and place of exposure determine whether chloroquine is an appropriate option for Malaria.
- Prevention advice is destination-specific; chloroquine does not cover many areas with resistant malaria.
- Fever during or after travel to a malaria-risk area requires urgent testing rather than reliance on stored or self-selected tablets.
Listings are for comparison and general information, not a malaria regimen or travel recommendation; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks and current resistance guidance.
What chloroquine is used for
Chloroquine has roles in treatment or prevention where malaria parasites remain sensitive. Some malaria species also require an additional medicine to prevent relapse from dormant liver stages, so chloroquine alone may not complete treatment.
How chloroquine works
Chloroquine accumulates inside malaria parasites and disrupts their handling of haem produced while digesting red-blood-cell haemoglobin. Resistance can prevent the medicine from reaching an effective concentration inside the parasite.
Important safety checks
Travel history, parasite species, pregnancy, eye disease, seizures, liver or kidney problems and heart-rhythm risk can affect suitability. Chloroquine can interact with medicines that alter heart rhythm, and prolonged or high exposure can damage the retina. Keep it away from children because overdose can be rapidly life-threatening.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent assessment for any suspected malaria, especially with confusion, fainting, breathing difficulty, seizures, jaundice, severe weakness or persistent vomiting. After chloroquine, get emergency help for collapse, severe dizziness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, seizures or sudden visual symptoms.