What is Chloroquine?
Chloroquine is a synthetic antimalarial medicine belonging to the 4-aminoquinoline class. First developed in the 1930s and widely adopted following World War II, it is one of the oldest medicines used in travel health. While resistance has significantly reduced its global utility for malaria prevention, Chloroquine remains relevant for specific travel destinations and is still recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in regions where malaria parasites retain sensitivity to the drug.
Chloroquine is also used in clinical medicine to manage certain autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), though this page focuses on its role in travel health and malaria prophylaxis.
How does Chloroquine work?
Chloroquine acts primarily against blood-stage malaria parasites. It accumulates within the parasite’s digestive vacuole and interferes with the detoxification of haem — a toxic byproduct of haemoglobin digestion. By inhibiting the formation of haemozoin (the non-toxic form of haem), Chloroquine causes haem to accumulate to toxic levels within the parasite, ultimately killing it.
Chloroquine is effective against the asexual (blood-stage) forms of sensitive Plasmodium species. It does not eliminate dormant liver-stage parasites (hypnozoites) of P. vivax and P. ovale, which are responsible for malaria relapse — a separate treatment with primaquine may be required after a Chloroquine course in these cases.
Who is Chloroquine for?
Chloroquine prophylaxis is appropriate for travellers visiting specific malaria-endemic regions where the local Plasmodium strains retain sensitivity to Chloroquine. The WHO and European travel medicine guidelines recommend Chloroquine only for destinations without significant P. falciparum resistance.
Travellers should obtain a current destination-specific risk assessment before departure, as resistance patterns can shift. An independent doctor reviewing your travel health assessment will consider:
- Your specific destination(s) and itinerary
- Duration and type of travel (urban vs. rural, accommodation type)
- Your full medical history and current medications
- Any contraindications to Chloroquine or alternative antimalarials
Chloroquine is not recommended for destinations with documented widespread Chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria, including most of sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America. Malarone, Doxycycline, or Lariam are typically preferred for these regions.
Posología
For malaria prophylaxis in adults, the typical schedule as guided by WHO recommendations is:
| Phase | Adult Dose | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | 500 mg (base 300 mg) | Weekly |
| Pre-travel | Start 1–2 weeks before departure | — |
| During travel | Continue weekly | Throughout stay |
| Post-travel | Continue weekly | 4 weeks after leaving risk area |
Chloroquine is available as tablets. Doses should be taken on the same day each week, ideally with food to reduce gastric side effects.
Dosing for children is weight-based and must be determined by a qualified medical professional. This page does not constitute prescribing advice.
Efectos secundarios
Efectos secundarios frecuentes
- Nausea and vomiting (reduced by taking with food)
- Abdominal discomfort or cramps
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Pruritus (itching), which may be more pronounced in patients of African descent — often not an allergic reaction but a pharmacological effect
Efectos secundarios poco frecuentes
- Visual disturbances, including blurred vision and difficulty focusing
- Skin rashes or discolouration with prolonged use
- Mood changes or sleep disturbance
Efectos secundarios graves pero raros
- Retinopathy: Long-term or high-dose use of Chloroquine can cause damage to the retina. For short-term travel prophylaxis, this risk is very low, but patients with pre-existing eye conditions should inform their doctor before starting treatment.
- Cardiac effects: Chloroquine can prolong the QT interval on an ECG. This is more relevant at treatment doses than prophylactic doses, but patients with known cardiac arrhythmias or those taking other QT-prolonging medicines should discuss this with their doctor.
- Serious haematological effects: Rare; more common in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Chloroquine vs alternatives
The choice of antimalarial depends heavily on your travel destination and individual medical circumstances. The table below is únicamente con fines informativos.
| Medicamento | Posología | Uso principal | Limitación de resistencia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroquine | Weekly | Sensitive malaria regions only | High resistance in most P. falciparum areas |
| Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil) | Daily | First-choice for most destinations | Minimal known resistance |
| Doxycycline | Daily | Broad-spectrum prophylaxis | Low resistance risk |
| Lariam (Mefloquine) | Weekly | High-risk areas | Some resistance in SE Asia |
How to get Chloroquine online in Europe
Chloroquine requires a prescription from a licensed medical professional in most EU member states when obtained through medical channels. Prescrivia operates as a technology intermediary — we do not prescribe medicines, employ doctors, or sell medicines. Our platform connects patients with independent EU-registered doctors who can conduct online travel health assessments.
El proceso es el siguiente:
- Complete a travel health assessment: Provide information about your destination, travel dates, planned activities, and full medical history.
- Revisión médica: Un médico independiente registrado en la UE revisa su evaluación. If Chloroquine is clinically appropriate for your destination and health profile, they may issue a prescription.
- Prescripción y dispensación: Si se emite una receta, se remite a una farmacia asociada autorizada de la UE para su dispensación y entrega.
Importante: Prescrivia no garantiza que se emita una receta. Todas las decisiones de prescripción son tomadas de forma independiente por profesionales médicos cualificados.
Información importante de seguridad
No tome Chloroquine si usted:
- Have a known hypersensitivity to Chloroquine or related 4-aminoquinolines
- Have a history of retinal or visual field changes attributable to Chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine
- Have psoriasis (may trigger a severe attack)
- Are travelling to a destination with documented Chloroquine-resistant malaria
Informe a su médico antes de taking Chloroquine if you have:
- G6PD deficiency (risk of haemolysis)
- Epilepsy or a history of seizures
- Liver or kidney impairment
- Heart rhythm disorders or QT prolongation
- Myasthenia gravis
Interacciones medicamentosas: Chloroquine may interact with antacids (reduced absorption), medicines that prolong the QT interval, antiepileptics, and antidiabetic drugs. Disclose all current medications to your doctor during the assessment.
Fuentes
La información médica de esta página se basa en las siguientes fuentes:
- World Health Organization (WHO). International Travel and Health: Malaria. who.int
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Product information for Chloroquine-containing medicines. ema.europa.eu
- WHO. Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria, 3rd edition. Geneva: WHO, 2015.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Malaria: Choosing a Drug to Prevent Malaria. cdc.gov
Este contenido se proporciona únicamente con fines informativos y no constituye asesoramiento médico. Consulte siempre a un profesional sanitario cualificado para obtener asesoramiento relevante para sus circunstancias de salud individuales y sus planes de viaje.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Chloroquine used for?
- Chloroquine is one of the oldest antimalarial medicines and is used for the prevention and treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae, P. ovale, and sensitive strains of P. falciparum. It is also used to treat certain autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Which countries is Chloroquine still effective in?
- Due to widespread resistance, Chloroquine is now only recommended for malaria prophylaxis in limited regions where P. falciparum remains sensitive to it. The WHO recommends consulting an updated travel health advisory before departure, as resistance patterns change. It may still be appropriate for parts of Central America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
- How is Chloroquine taken for malaria prevention?
- For malaria prophylaxis, Chloroquine is typically taken once weekly. It should be started 1-2 weeks before entering a malaria-risk area and continued for 4 weeks after leaving. An independent doctor will determine whether Chloroquine is appropriate for your specific destination.
- Can I get Chloroquine online in Europe?
- Puede acceder a Chloroquine a través de plataformas intermediarias en línea que le conectan con médicos independientes registrados en la UE. After completing a travel health assessment covering your destination, dates, and medical history, a doctor will review whether Chloroquine is clinically appropriate for your trip.
- What are the common side effects of Chloroquine?
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and skin itching (particularly in people of African descent). Less commonly, Chloroquine can affect vision (retinopathy) with long-term use. Regular eye examinations are recommended for patients on prolonged courses.
Tratamientos
Prescrivia es únicamente una plataforma intermediaria. No prestamos servicios médicos, no prescribimos tratamientos ni dispensamos medicamentos. Todas las decisiones médicas son tomadas por médicos independientes registrados en la UE. Todos los medicamentos son dispensados por farmacias autorizadas de la UE. Esta plataforma facilita la conexión entre pacientes y profesionales sanitarios.