Clit 250 mg (Tablet)
Medicine Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Generic | Chloroquine phosphate |
| Company | Hudson pharmaceuticals ltd |
| Also available as |
Indications
- Treatment of malaria
- Prophylaxis and suppression of malaria
- Treatment of amoebic hepatitis and abscess
- Treatment of discoid and systemic and systemic lupus erythematosus
- Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Composition
- Tablet: Each film coated tablet contains Chloroquine Phosphate BP 250 mg equiv. to approx. 150 mg of Chloroquine base
- Syrup: Each 5 mL contains Chloroquine Phosphate BP 80 mg equiv. to approx. 50 mg of Chloroquine base
Pharmacology
Chloroquine Phosphate is a 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial and amoebicidal agent used for the suppression and clinical cure of malaria due to susceptible strains of Plasmodium falciparum, P. ovale, P. vivax and P. malariae. It is a rapidly acting blood schizontocide with some gametocytocidal activity. Its mechanism of action against blood schizonts remain unclear but it may act by influencing haemoglobin digestion by raising intravesicular pH in malaria parasite cells. It also interferes with synthesis of nucleoproteins by the parasite. Chloroquine is rapidly and almost completely absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract when given by mouth. Absorption is also rapid following intramuscular or subcutaneous administration. About 55% of chloroquine in the circulation is bound to plasma proteins.
Dosage & Administration
- Treatment of acute attack of malaria:
- Adults and children: 25 mg of chloroquine base per kg body-weight given over 3 days
- Clinical prophylaxis:
- An oral dose equivalent to 300 mg chloroquine base is given every 7 days for about one week before, during, and for at least 4 weeks after exposure.
- Hepatic amoebiasis:
- 600 mg base daily for two days, followed by 300 mg base daily for at least 2-3 weeks. Treatment is usually combined with an effective intestinal amoebicide.
- Discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus: Suggested oral dose is 150 mg of base daily, reducing gradually once symptoms have been controlled.
- Rheumatoid arthritis:
- Adult: 150 mg of base daily, some clinicians suggest that treatment should be given for only 10 months in each year.
- Children: 3 mg/kg body-weight base daily.
- Management of photoallergic reactions:
- Adult: 150 to 300 mg of base daily during periods of intense light exposure.
- Porphyria cutanea tarda: When chloroquine was first used at this condition at doses of 150 mg to 600 mg of base per day for 4-7 days, a severe life threatening toxic hepatitis developed. Use of low dose therapy with 75 mg of base 2 to 3 times per week for 6 to 18 months can avoid such effects and lead to remission.
Interaction
- Neostigmine
- Pyridostigmine
- Antacids
- Kaolin
- Cimetidine
- Ranitidine
- Quinine
- Mefloquine
- Amodiaquine
- Artemisinin
- Metronidazole
- Ampicillin
Contraindications
- Known or suspected chloroquine resistance in P. falciparum
- Hypersensitivity
- Retinal damage
- Concurrent therapy with hepatotoxic drugs
Side Effects
- Gastro-intestinal:
- Nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- Psychological:
- Psychotic episodes
- anxiety
- personality changes
- Visual disturbances:
- Blurred vision
- difficulties in focusing
- keratopathy
- retinopathy
- Haematological:
- Aplastic anaemia
- agranulocytosis
- thrombocytopenia
- neutropenia
- Others:
- Loss of hair
- bleaching of hair pigment
- bluish black pigmentation of the mucous membranes and skin
- photosensitivity
- tinnitus
- reduced hearing
- nerve deafness
- uromyopathy
- myopathy
Pregnancy & Lactation
The use of chloroquine during pregnancy should be avoided except in the suppression or treatment of malaria when in the judgement of the physician the benefit outweighs the possible hazard. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from chloroquine, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Precautions & Warnings
- The eyes should be examined before starting long-term treatment and should be monitored subsequently.
- Care is necessary in administering to patients with impaired liver or renal function or to those with prophyria, psoriasis, or a history of epilepsy.
- Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency should be observed for haemolytic anaemia during chloroquine treatment.
Therapeutic Class
Anti-malarial drugs
Storage Conditions
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.