Chloroquine in P. vivax, P. ovale or P. malariae

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Oral treatment for an adult:

• first day: initial dose of 600 mg (of base) then a single dose of 300 mg after 6-8 hours
• second day: chloroquine 300 mg
• third day: chloroquine 300mg
• then primaquine (if P. ovale or P. vivax) 15 mg daily for 14-21 days to eradicate the exo-erythrocytic cycle. Do not give if glucose-6-phosphate deficiency or in pregnancy. If mild variant of G6PD present then give 30 mg once a week for 8 weeks (1)

Advice on specific problems is available from a number of centres whose telephone numbers are listed in section 5.4 of the BNF.

Chloroquine is NOT recommended for the treatment of falciparum malaria (1)

Advice on specific problems is available from a number of centres whose telephone numbers are listed in section 5.4 of the BNF.

The summary of product characteristics should be consulted before prescribing the drugs prescribed.

Reference:

• 1. Lalloo DJ et al. UK malaria treatment guidelines. Journal of Infection 2007;54:111-121