chloroquine

Chloroquine is an antimalarial and amebicidal small molecule drug primarily used to prevent and treat malaria caused by susceptible Plasmodium species. It is also indicated for the treatment of extraintestinal amebiasis and has been used off-label for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. Chloroquine acts by inhibiting heme polymerase in malarial parasites, preventing the detoxification of heme into hemozoin within the parasite's digestive vacuole. The accumulation of toxic heme leads to parasite death. Additionally, chloroquine increases endosomal pH in host cells, which can interfere with viral entry mechanisms; however, its use for viral infections like COVID-19 is not recommended due to lack of efficacy[1][2][5][7].

Brand names

AralenAralen PhosphateAralen Hydrochloride

Other names

chloroquine phosphate