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Chloroquine profilaxis
Chloroquine inhibits parasite growth by accumulating in parasite food vacuoles and interfering with heme detoxification and nucleic acid synthesis.
Chloroquine inhibits parasite growth by accumulating in parasite food vacuoles and interfering with heme detoxification and nucleic acid synthesis. Used for Malaria prophylaxis in endemic regions, Malaria treatment (Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum).
At a glance
| Generic name | Chloroquine profilaxis |
|---|---|
| Also known as | prevention of plasmodium vivax malaria harmfull effects on birth outcomes |
| Sponsor | Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement |
| Drug class | Quinoline antimalarial |
| Target | Plasmodium heme detoxification pathway; DNA/RNA synthesis |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Chloroquine is a quinoline antimalarial that concentrates in the acidic food vacuole of malaria parasites, preventing the detoxification of heme and disrupting DNA/RNA synthesis. This leads to parasite death and is effective for both treatment and chemoprophylaxis of malaria. The drug also has immunomodulatory properties that may contribute to its antimalarial efficacy.
Approved indications
- Malaria prophylaxis in endemic regions
- Malaria treatment (Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and chloroquine-sensitive P. falciparum)
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea and gastrointestinal disturbance
- Pruritus
- Visual disturbances
- Retinopathy (with prolonged use)
- Cardiomyopathy (rare, with chronic use)
Key clinical trials
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |