Avloclor (Chloroquine Phosphate)

Chloroquine is used as a prophylaxis against malaria. The medication is becoming less effective, with resistance detected in some malarious regions. You should always check the appropriate treatment for your travel area.

Can I buy Avloclor or Chloroquine?

The Online Clinic can offer this medication if it is appropriate for your particular destination. The medication usually has to be prescribed in combination with a medication called Paludrine (proguanil) in order to be effective.

How do I know if it is appropriate?

Please check the UK Fit for Travel website to ensure that this treatment is going to be suitable for your region. The link you need is here:

https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations

How do I take Chloroquine?

This medication should be taken as 2 tablets once a week one week before you arrive in the region, once a week during your stay, and then once a week for four weeks after you leave the affected region(s). The tablets come in 250 mg doses, so your take 500 mg once a week on the same day each week.

Are there any side effects?

All medications carry a risk of side effects. Chloroquine is usually well-tolerated, but there is a risk of some side effects.

If you are using this medication long term, then you will require some monitoring via your GP.

Chloroquine can cause nausea, headaches, diarrhoea, skin itching, and mood changes. A full list of potential side effects is contained in the patient information leaflet, which you can find here

It is not recommended that this medication is used by anyone with epilepsy or who has a close blood relative with epilepsy. Chloroquine can make psoriasis worse, so is best avoided if you suffer from this condition.

Anyone with impaired liver or kidney function should be carefully assessed first, and we recommend they speak to their GP or complete one of our GP-assessed malaria consultations.