Chloroquine

Chloroquine — Malaria Prevention

Malaria is a serious, potentially life threatening disease transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Your itinerary includes travel to a malarious area. It is therefore recommended that you take a medication that decreases the risk of contracting Malaria.

If no Chloroquine resistance is reported in the area of your travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend Chloroquine 500mg – once weekly beginning one week before travel to a malarious area, weekly while in a malarious area, and for four weeks after leaving a malarious area. This medication should be taken with food, a full glass of water and at the same time each week.

Chloroquine has some potential side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbance (diarrhea, abdominal cramps), headache, dizziness, rash and itching. Taking this medication with meals can reduce these symptoms. Travelers who use Chloroquine for more than one year should be evaluated by a medical provider to include an eye exam and blood test(s). Some people with certain kinds of continuing medical conditions such as G6PD, psoriasis and hearing loss cannot take Cholorquine. Discuss details with a medical provider. Do not take Chloroquine with Mefloqine (Lariam) or quinine. Minimize consumption of tonic water (less than 8 oz./day) as it contains quinine.

Chloroquine should not be started within two weeks of completing rabies vaccine. Although Chloroquine has not been found to have any harmful effects on the fetus when used in pregnancy at the recommended doses for malaria prophylaxis, please inform your health care provider if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

As with all Malaria medications, care should be taken to avoid mosquito bites through the use of bed nets, mosquito repellents and Permethrin clothing treatment.

Although Chloroquine is an effective antimalarial it is not 100% effective. If you have an illness with a fever, SUSPECT MALARIA and seek medical treatment.

Additional information about Malaria prevention can be found from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or by calling the Student Health Center Travel Clinic at (812) 855-7514.