Paper II
2017 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Chloroquine

Q53 marksShort Notes

Answer

Chloroquine is a 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial.

Mechanism of action

  • Concentrates in the parasite’s food vacuole and inhibits haem polymerase, which normally converts toxic free haem into inert haemozoin
  • Accumulated toxic free haem damages the parasite’s membranes and proteins, killing it

Uses

  • Treatment of sensitive P. vivax, P. ovale, P. malariae, and sensitive P. falciparum malaria
  • Malaria chemoprophylaxis
  • Extraintestinal (hepatic) amoebiasis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE (disease-modifying antirheumatic use)

Adverse effects

  • GI upset, pruritus
  • Retinopathy and corneal deposits (prolonged high-dose use)
  • Cardiotoxicity (arrhythmias) with rapid IV administration
  • Haemolysis in G6PD-deficient patients

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