Chloroquine: Uses, Risks, and What You Need to Know Today
When you hear chloroquine, a synthetic antimalarial drug originally developed in the 1930s and used globally for decades to prevent and treat malaria. Also known as Cq, it was once the go-to treatment for malaria in travelers and soldiers. But today, its role has narrowed—and its risks have grown. Chloroquine works by interfering with how parasites digest blood in the liver and red blood cells. It’s also used off-label for autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis because it can calm overactive immune responses.
But chloroquine isn’t harmless. It can cause serious heart rhythm problems, especially when taken with other drugs like hydroxychloroquine, a closely related compound often prescribed for the same conditions but considered slightly safer, or when mixed with antibiotics, antidepressants, or even common heart medications. The FDA issued warnings in 2020 after reports of fatal heart arrhythmias in COVID-19 patients given high doses without proper monitoring. Even at normal doses, long-term use can damage your eyes—something many patients don’t realize until it’s too late.
People still take chloroquine today, mostly in areas where malaria hasn’t developed resistance, or for autoimmune diseases where other drugs failed. But the real issue isn’t just the drug itself—it’s how it’s used. Many get it from unregulated online pharmacies, skip eye exams, or combine it with other meds without telling their doctor. That’s why the posts below cover what you won’t hear from a quick Google search: how to spot fake chloroquine pills, what blood tests you need before starting, how it interacts with statins and blood pressure meds, and why some patients end up in the ER after taking it with supplements.
There’s no sugarcoating it: chloroquine is a powerful tool, but it’s not a safe one if you don’t know the rules. The articles here give you real, practical guidance—not theory, not hype, just what you need to stay safe if you’re taking it, or if someone you care about is.
Primaquine is the only drug that prevents malaria relapses from liver parasites, but it requires G6PD testing. Learn how it compares to tafenoquine, chloroquine, and ACTs - and what to do if you can't take it.
