O que é Chloroquine?
Chloroquine is a synthetic antimalarial medicamento belonging to the 4-aminoquinoline class. First developed in the 1930s and widely adopted following World War II, it is one of the oldest medicamentos 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 Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHO) in regions where malaria parasites retain sensitivity to the drug.
Chloroquine is also used in clinical medicamento 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.
Como funciona 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 tratamento with primaquine may be required after a Chloroquine course in these cases.
Para quem é 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 medicamento 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 médico 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.
Dosagem
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 comprimidos. Doses should be taken on the same day each week, ideally with food to reduce gastric efeito secundários.
Dosing for children is weight-based and must be determined by a qualified medical professional. This page does not constitute prescribing advice.
Efeitos secundários
Efeitos secundários comuns
- Nausea and vomiting (reduced by taking with food)
- Abdominal discomfort or cramps
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Pruritus (itching), which may be more pronounced in pacientes of African descent — often not an allergic reaction but a pharmacological effect
Menos comuns efeito secundários
- Visual disturbances, including blurred vision and difficulty focusing
- Skin rashes or discolouration with prolonged use
- Mood changes or sleep disturbance
Serious but rare efeito secundários
- 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 pacientes with pre-existing eye conditions should inform their médico before starting tratamento.
- Cardiac effects: Chloroquine can prolong the QT interval on an ECG. This is more relevant at tratamento doses than prophylactic doses, but pacientes with known cardiac arrhythmias or those taking other QT-prolonging medicamentos should discuss this with their médico.
- Serious haematological effects: Rare; more common in pacientes with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Chloroquine vs alternativas
The choice of antimalarial depends heavily on your travel destination and individual medical circumstances. The table below is for informational purposes only.
| Medicine | Dosing | Main Use | Resistance Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Como obter Chloroquine online na Europa
Chloroquine requires a receita médica from a licensed medical professional in most estados-membros da UE when obtained through medical channels. Prescrivia operates as a technology intermediary — we do not prescribe medicamentos, employ médicos, or sell medicamentos. Our platform connects pacientes with independent EU-registered médicos who can conduct online travel health assessments.
The process is as follows:
- Complete a travel health assessment: Provide information about your destination, travel dates, planned activities, and full medical history.
- Avaliação médica: An independent EU-registered médico reviews your assessment. If Chloroquine is clinically appropriate for your destination and health profile, they may issue a receita médica.
- Receita e dispensa: If a receita médica is issued, it is forwarded to a licensed EU farmácia partner for dispensing and delivery.
Important: A Prescrivia não garante that a receita médica will be issued. All prescribing decisions are made independently by qualified medical professionals.
Informação de segurança importante
Do not take Chloroquine if you:
- 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 o seu médico before 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
Interações medicamentosas: Chloroquine may interact with antacids (reduced absorption), medicamentos that prolong the QT interval, antiepileptics, and antidiabetic drugs. Disclose all current medications to your médico during the assessment.
Fontes
Medical information on this page is based on the following sources:
- Organização Mundial da Saúde (WHO). International Travel and Health: Malaria. who.int
- Agência Europeia de Medicamentos (EMA). Product information for Chloroquine-containing medicamentos. 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
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice relevant to your individual health circumstances and travel plans.
Frequently asked questions
- O que é Chloroquine utilizado para?
- Chloroquine is one of the oldest antimalarial medicamentos and is utilizado para the prevention and tratamento 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.
- Como é 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 médico will determine whether Chloroquine is appropriate for your specific destination.
- Posso obter Chloroquine online na Europa?
- You can access Chloroquine through online intermediary platforms that connect you with independent EU-registered médicos. After completing a travel health assessment covering your destination, dates, and medical history, a médico will review whether Chloroquine is clinically appropriate for your trip.
- What are the common efeito secundários of Chloroquine?
- Efeitos secundários comuns include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and skin itching (particularly in people of African descent). Menos comunsly, Chloroquine can affect vision (retinopathy) with long-term use. Regular eye examinations are recommended for pacientes on prolonged courses.
Tratamentos
A Prescrivia é apenas uma plataforma intermediária. Não prestamos serviços médicos, não prescrevemos tratamentos nem dispensamos medicamentos. Todas as decisões médicas são tomadas por médicos independentes registados na UE. Todos os medicamentos são dispensados por farmácias licenciadas na UE. Esta plataforma facilita a ligação entre pacientes e prestadores de cuidados de saúde.