Antimalarial medications, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, are used for prophylaxis, treatment and prevention of malaria. They are commonly prescribed to previously-unexposed or immunodeficient people who are traveling to areas endemic for malaria. Some of the medications are also used for other purposes, such as to treat rheumatoid arthritis or lupus-associated arthritis.
Gastrointestinal Distress
Antimalarial medications commonly cause gastrointestinal distress. The most common symptom is upper abdominal pain. The pain is usually dull and temporary.
Itching
Antimalarial medications, and especially chloroquine, cause itching in the majority of African Americans who take it, but for an unknown reason do not cause the symptom in other races nearly as often. The itching can be so severe that it may force patients to stop taking the drug. The itching is worst when there is a high malarial load in the blood.
Mood Changes
Mood changes are a common side effect of antimalarial medications. The symptoms may include depression and anxiety. The mood changes are also worse at higher medication doses.
Overdose
Antimalarial medications can be lethal when taken in high doses. People taking those medications should adhere strictly to the prescriptions, as the safe dosage range is very narrow. The absorption of the medication is fairly rapid and so is the damage from overdose.
References
- Drugs.com: Chloroquine
- CDC: Health information for international travel 2001-2002. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 2001.
- Clinical Pharmacology; Mechanisms of chloroquine-induced pruritus; Adesui Ajayi; September 2000
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