Chloroquine and Primaquine (Aralen with Primaquine)

Category:

• Antimalarial

Description:

• Chloroquine and primaquine are used together in an oral preparation to prevent malaria.  Chloroquine and primaquine are both antimalarial agents; primaquine is added to cover for chloroquine-resistant strains of P. falciparum

Indications:

• malaria prophylaxis

Contraindications:

• Retinal field changes, porphyria

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• Children, blood dyscrasias, severe GI disease, hepatic disease

• G-6-PD deficiency, psoriasis, eczema

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: headache, fatigue, seizures, psychosis, stimulation

• CV: asystole with syncope, heart block, ECG changes, hypotension

• EENT: interference with visual accommodation

• GI: anorexia, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,

• HEME: hemolytic anemia in G-6-PD deficient patients, leukopenia, methemoglobinemia in NADH methemoglobin reductase-deficient patients

• SKIN: eczema, exfoliative dermatitis, skin eruptions, pruritus

Dosage:

Administered orally: available as tablets:  

• chloroquine phosphate 500mg (300mg base)

• primaquine phosphate 79mg (45mg base)

• Marlaria prophylaxis: Adult:  PO 1 tablet taken at least 1 day prior to entering the endemic area, and then PO 1 tablet on the same day of each week throughout the stay and for 8 weeks after leaving an endemic area