Chloroquine
Vivax malaria: 10 mg base/kg on days 1 and 2, then 5 mg/kg on day 3 (total 25 mg/kg). Follow with primaquine.
On this page
Dose (as base)
| Day | Dose |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 10 mg/kg |
| Day 2 | 10 mg/kg |
| Day 3 | 5 mg/kg |
Adult (60 kg): 600 mg base, 600 mg, then 300 mg. A 250 mg chloroquine phosphate tablet contains 150 mg base.
Cautions
- Itching (common in darker skin), nausea, low BP if given IV fast.
- Not for falciparum in Pakistan (resistance); use an ACT.
- Dangerous in overdose; keep away from children.
Frequently asked questions
Is chloroquine still used for malaria in Pakistan?
Yes, for vivax, which remains largely chloroquine-sensitive; falciparum needs an ACT.
Used in these guides
Sources
Doses on this page are typical doses from the sources above. Always confirm with a current drug reference, the product leaflet and your hospital protocol, especially in children, pregnancy and kidney or liver disease.
For FCPS Part 1
Revising for FCPS Part 1? Chloroquine is covered in our textbook chapter Antivirals and antifungals, with practice MCQs.