Chloroquine phosphate (
Aralen®) is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as antimalarials. Not surprisingly, chloroquine is licensed for the treatment of
malaria. However, it is also approved to prevent malaria and to treat another parasitic infection known as amebiasis.
As a
malaria treatment, chloroquine kills the
Plasmodium parasites that cause the infection. The standard adult dosage is 1000 mg, taken once, followed by 500 mg in six to eight hours. After that, 500 mg is taken once a day for two more days.
The key to malaria treatment is starting early. With early treatment, malaria can be cured and the serious effects can be prevented.
(To learn more about this malaria treatment, click What Is Chloroquine Used For?. This article takes a closer look at what causes malaria and also covers the drug's use in children and adults.)
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