Has your doctor prescribed you a pill called Chloroquine? It may be to prevent or treat malaria. It is also sometimes used to treat other conditions, such as amebiasis. Although it is a very useful drug, there are a few things we need to be careful about when using it. So let's talk about it today, as if we were talking to a friend.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you Chloroquine. This is because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine. Therefore, if you have any of the medical conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it .
- If you have diabetes .
- If you have an eye disease or any vision impairment .
- If you have an enzyme deficiency called G6PD deficiency .
- If you have any hearing problems or frequent ringing in the ears .
- If you have had heart disease or an irregular heartbeat in the past.
- If you are a regular drinker .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have porphyria or the skin disease psoriasis .
- If you have seizures .
- If you have previously had an allergic reaction to Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant, or are expecting a baby .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
It is very important for your own safety to tell the doctor without hiding these things.
How should I use this medicine?
For a medicine to work properly, it is essential to take it exactly as prescribed. So keep these points in mind.
- Take this pill with a glass of water.
- Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as prescribed by the doctor.
- This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food .
- If you are taking an antacid for gastritis, do not take it within 4 hours of taking the chloroquine pill. It is very important to leave at least 4 hours between the two medications.
- Even if you think, "Now the disease is better," take all the medicine the doctor has prescribed for the full duration . Do not stop halfway. If you stop, the disease may recur.
If you give it to children...
This medication is sometimes prescribed for children, but you should talk to your pediatrician about it and follow his or her instructions exactly.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you suddenly feel like you've taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, don't delay .
Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, if possible, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. This can be very serious, so it is important to act quickly.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take double doses to make up for a missed dose .
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Chloroquine is a drug that can interact with some other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all other medications you're taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Drug Interactions | |
|---|---|
| Never take chloroquine with this medicine. | |
| |
| Problems can also occur with this medication (seek medical advice) | |
|
|
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- See your doctor regularly: Check in with your doctor regularly to see if your symptoms are improving and to make sure the medication is working properly for you.
- Blood tests: You may need to have some blood work done.
- Eye exam: Because this medication can affect your eyes, your doctor may recommend that you have your eyes checked before you start taking the medication and while you are taking it. If you notice any changes in your vision, such as blurred vision, tell your doctor right away.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, chloroquine can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, while others are mild.
| Types of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, feeling a change in what you see. |
| Hearing problems | Hearing loss, hearing different sounds in the ears. |
| Serious skin reactions | Skin redness, blistering, peeling (even inside the mouth). |
| Changes in heart rate | Chest pain, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting. |
| Low blood sugar | Tremors, excessive sweating, excessive hunger, restlessness, blurred vision, loss of consciousness. |
| Other serious symptoms | Seizures, uncontrollable shaking of the head, mouth, neck, limbs, suicidal thoughts . |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| |
Take-Home Message
- Tell your doctor about all other illnesses you have and all other medications you are taking before starting chloroquine.
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed, until the prescribed time is up. Do not stop halfway.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
- If you experience changes in vision, changes in heart rate, or other serious side effects, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you take too much medicine, go to the ETU or call the National Poison Information Center without delay.
- Store the medicine at room temperature, out of the reach of children.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න