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Chloroquine Sulfate
Chloroquine sulfate is an antimalarial agent that accumulates in parasitic food vacuoles and inhibits heme polymerization, leading to parasite death.
Chloroquine sulfate is an antimalarial agent that accumulates in parasitic food vacuoles and inhibits heme polymerization, leading to parasite death. Used for Malaria (treatment and prophylaxis), Lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis.
At a glance
| Generic name | Chloroquine Sulfate |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Aralen GENERIC NAME(S): Chloroquine Phosphate, NIVAQUINE |
| Sponsor | Washington University School of Medicine |
| Drug class | Antimalarial agent; 4-aminoquinoline |
| Target | Heme; Toll-like receptors (immunomodulatory effects) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease; Rheumatology (off-label) |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Chloroquine works by concentrating in the digestive vacuoles of malaria parasites, where it binds to heme and prevents its detoxification into hemozoin. This causes toxic heme accumulation and parasite death. The drug also has immunomodulatory properties, including inhibition of toll-like receptor signaling and autophagy, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Approved indications
- Malaria (treatment and prophylaxis)
- Lupus erythematosus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Pruritus
- Retinopathy (with prolonged use)
- Cardiomyopathy (rare, with high doses)
Key clinical trials
- Akt Inhibitor MK2206 and Hydroxychloroquine in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors, Melanoma, Prostate or Kidney Cancer (PHASE1)
- Safety and Effect on Pain and Function According to RAPID-3 of IHL-675A in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis (PHASE2)
- Serological Testing and Treatment for Plasmodium Vivax Malaria: a Trial in Ethiopia and Madagascar (PHASE3)
- The Efficacy and Safety of Anti-inflammation Treatment (Hirudoid Introduction Followed by Yellow Light Therapy) Combined With Tofacitinib and Doxycycline in Chinese Adult Patients With Mild to Moderate Erythematous Telangiectatic Rosacea (NA)
- Hydroxychloroquin (HCQ) in chILD of Genetic Defect (NA)
- Hydroxychloroquine in Children's Interstitial Lung Diseases With Genetic Causes (EARLY_PHASE1)
- AIPH-TB: AI-Optimised Pyrazinamide-Hydroxychloroquine vs Standard RIPE for Drug-Sensitive Pulmonary Tuberculosis - A Phase II RCT (PHASE2)
- Testing Dabrafenib and Trametinib With or Without Hydroxychloroquine in Stage IIIC or IV BRAF V600E/K Melanoma (PHASE2)
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 |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Chloroquine Sulfate CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Chloroquine Sulfate updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Washington University School of Medicine portfolio CI