Aralen Phosphate Oral

In Depth

Generic Name: CHLOROQUINE - ORAL
Pronounced: (KLOR-oh-kwin)

Aralen Phosphate Oral Interactions

See also How to Use section.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur:

cimetidine
agalsidase
artemether-lumefantrine

This drug should generally not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur:

disopyramide
amiodarone
quinidine
quinine
procainamide
flecainide
propafenone
sotalol
ibutilide
droperidol
bepridil
ziprasidone
dofetilide
cisapride
arbutamine
pimozide
astemizole
halofantrine
mefloquine
penicillamine
ranolazine

These drugs, among others, may affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation in the EKG). Before using chloroquine, report all medications you are currently using to your doctor or pharmacist. QT prolongation can infrequently result in serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (e.g., severe dizziness, fainting) that require immediate medical attention. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may reduce the risk of this effect.

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting chloroquine.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

cyclosporine
ampicillin
praziquantel
sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine
certain "water pills" (potassium-wasting diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide)

Although no longer available in the United States, a certain rabies vaccine (HDCV) may not work as well if given while you are taking chloroquine.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.