Chloroquine

Chloroquine

Clinical data
Pronunciation	/ˈklɔːrəkwɪn/
Trade names	Aralen
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
License data	US FDA: Chloroquine
ATC code	P01BA01 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	US: ℞-only
Pharmacokinetic data
Metabolism	Liver
Biological half-life	1–2 months
Identifiers
IUPAC name (RS)-N'-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-N,N-diethyl-pentane-1,4-diamine
CAS Number	54-05-7 Y
PubChem (CID)	2719
IUPHAR/BPS	5535
DrugBank	DB00608 Y
ChemSpider	2618 Y
UNII	886U3H6UFF Y
KEGG	D02366 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:3638 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL76 Y
NIAID ChemDB	000733
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.175
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C18H26ClN3
Molar mass	319.872 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES Clc1cc2nccc(c2cc1)NC(C)CCCN(CC)CC
InChI InChI=1S/C18H26ClN3/c1-4-22(5-2)12-6-7-14(3)21-17-10-11-20-18-13-15(19)8-9-16(17)18/h8-11,13-14H,4-7,12H2,1-3H3,(H,20,21) Y Key:WHTVZRBIWZFKQO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y

Chloroquine is a medication used to prevent and to treat malaria in areas where malaria is known to be sensitive to its effects. Certain types of malaria, resistant strains, and complicated cases typically require different or additional medication. It is also occasionally used for amebiasis that is occurring outside of the intestines, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus. It is taken by mouth.

Common side effects include muscle problems, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and skin rash. Serious side effects include problems with vision, muscle damage, seizures, and low blood cell levels. It appears to be safe for use during pregnancy but has not been well studied in this group of people. Chloroquine is a member of the drug class 4-aminoquinoline. It works against the asexual form of malaria inside the red blood cell.

Chloroquine was discovered in 1934 by Hans Andersag. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.04 USD. In the United States it costs about 5.30 USD per dose.

Chloroquine has long been used in the treatment or prevention of malaria from Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. After the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum started to develop widespread resistance to it.