Chloroquine and Primaquine (Aralen with Primaquine)

Category:

Antimalarial

Description:

Chloroquine and primaquine are used together in an oral preparation to prevent malaria. Chloroquine and primaquine are both antimalarial agents; primaquine is added to cover for chloroquine-resistant strains of P. falciparum

Indications:

malaria prophylaxis

Contraindications:

Retinal field changes, porphyria

Precautions:

Pregnancy category C
Children, blood dyscrasias, severe GI disease, hepatic disease
G-6-PD deficiency, psoriasis, eczema

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

CNS: headache, fatigue, seizures, psychosis, stimulation
CV: asystole with syncope, heart block, ECG changes, hypotension
EENT: interference with visual accommodation
GI: anorexia, cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
HEME: hemolytic anemia in G-6-PD deficient patients, leukopenia, methemoglobinemia in NADH methemoglobin reductase-deficient patients
SKIN: eczema, exfoliative dermatitis, skin eruptions, pruritus

Dosage:

Administered orally: available as tablets:

chloroquine phosphate 500mg (300mg base)
primaquine phosphate 79mg (45mg base)

Marlaria prophylaxis: Adult: PO 1 tablet taken at least 1 day prior to entering the endemic area, and then PO 1 tablet on the same day of each week throughout the stay and for 8 weeks after leaving an endemic area

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300