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Aralen Phosphate

Generic name: chloroquine [KLOR-oh-kwin]
Drug classes: amebicides, antimalarialquinolines

What is Aralen phosphate?

Aralen Phosphate helps to prevent or treat malaria, which is a disease caused by parasites that get into the body via the bite of mosquitoes. This medication is not efficient against all types of malaria, nor against malaria in regions in which the disease is resistant to the same drug, chloroquine hydroxychloroquine.Aralen phosphate may also help treat amebiasis (an infection caused by amoebae).Aralen phosphate can also be used to treat conditions not covered in this medication guide.

Side effects of Aralen phosphate

Seek medical attention immediately. If you notice symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction (hives and breathing problems and swelling of your throat or face) or an extreme skin reaction (fever and throat soreness, eye burning, irritation, and a red or purple skin eruption with peeling and blisters),Seek medical attention in an emergency when you notice signs of a serious heart condition, including heartbeats that beat fast or rapidly, a fluttering chest, shortness of breath, and a sudden feeling of dizziness (like you may faint).

Aralen phosphate may cause serious side effects. Contact your physician immediately if you experience:

  • A seizure;
  • Ringing in your ears hearing problems, ringing in your ears;
  • Severe muscle weakness and loss of coordination; subactive reflexes;
  • Low blood cell counts, fever chills, fatigue, lips sores, rashes, frequent bleeding, easy bruising, pale skin, cold feet and hands, and feeling lightheaded or breathless;
  • Lower blood sugar—headache or hunger, sweating, and irritability. It can also cause nausea, a fast heart rate, and feeling nervous or shaky.
  • A serious reaction to a drug that may affect multiple areas of your body, including skin swelling, fever, rash glands, muscle pains, extreme weakness, and unusual bruising or yellowing of your eyes or skin.

The use of aralen phosphate for long periods or in excessive doses could cause irreparable harm to the retinas of your eyes.
Take a break from this medication and consult your physician if you are suffering from:

  • Blurred vision, difficulty finding, and reading problems;
  • Distorted vision, poor night vision;
  • Changes in your colour vision;
  • Blurry or cloudy vision
  • Seeming light streaks or flashes and halos around lights is common, as are light flashes or halos around these fixtures.
  • Sensitivity to increased sensitivity to.

Common adverse effects of aralen phosphate could be:

  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and  stomach cramps;
  • Headache;
  • Strange changes in behaviour or mood;
  • Hair loss;
  • Modifications in skin or hair colour.

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could be present. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Aralen phosphate may create dangerous side effects for your heart, specifically if you also take other medications. You should seek medical attention in an emergency in the event of rapid or pounding heartbeats as well as sudden dizziness (like you may pass to the bathroom).When you take aralen phosphate for long periods or in high doses, it could cause irreparable damage to your retina in the eyes, which could lead to permanent vision problems. It may be difficult to take Aralen Phosphate when you've had a history of vision issues or damage to the retina.Do not take Aralen Phosphate and consult your physician immediately if you notice fuzzy vision, difficulty seeing clearly, blurred vision and blind spots, trouble reading, cloudy or hazy vision, or increased sensitivity to light.

Before you take this drug

It is advised not to take this medication if you're sensitive to aralen phosphate or chloroquine hydroxychloroquine. It is possible that you will not be able to use this medication if you have previously experienced vision changes or damage to the retina.Long-term use or high doses for long periods of time of chloroquine can cause irreparable damage to the retina (the membrane layer within your eye that produces vision). The damage could cause permanent vision issues. The risk of damage to the retina is higher for those who have eye issues that are preexisting kidney disease and those who are also taking Tamoxifen.

Inform your doctor if you have ever suffered from:

  • Vision change and damage or destruction to your retina due to the use of an anti-malaria drug;
  • Heart disease and cardiac rhythm disorders (such as long qt syndrome);
  • The imbalance of electrolytes (such as a low level of magnesium, potassium, or magnesium in the blood);
  • Diabetes;
  • Kidney or liver disease;
  • Psoriasis;
  • Alcoholism;
  • Porphyria (a genetic disorder of enzymes that can cause symptoms in the nervous system or skin);
  • A genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (g6pd) deficiency.

Inform your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant. It is much more probable to trigger serious illnesses or even death for pregnant women. Having malaria during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, premature birth, or an infant with a low birth weight.It is unclear if Aralen Phosphate will harm an unborn child. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risk of travelling to areas where malaria is prevalent (such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia).It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking Aralen Phosphate.

How to take Aralen Phosphate?

Follow all instructions on your prescription label, and go through all medication guides or instructions sheets. Make sure you use the medication exactly as prescribed.To stop the spread of malaria, aralen phosphate is typically used once a week, on the exact day every week. Begin taking the medicine 2 weeks prior to arriving in a region where malaria is a common occurrence. Continue taking the medicine throughout your stay and up to 8 weeks after you depart the area.To combat malaria, aralen phosphate is usually administered in one dose that is followed by smaller doses over the following two days.To treat amebiasis, Aralen Phosphate is administered in a high dose for two days, followed by a lower dose for up to 3 weeks. There are other medicines to stop the spread of infection.The doses of aralen phosphate are based on the weight of children. The dosage requirements for your child may be altered if the child grows and/or loses weight.Utilise Aralen Phosphate for the entire time prescribed, even if your symptoms improve quickly.Get in touch with your doctor as quickly as possible if you've had exposure to malaria or if you have symptoms of illness after or during the time you wereMalaria-prone areas should be avoided.Make sure to wear protection clothes, insect repellents, and mosquito nets around your bed to protect yourself from mosquito bites that can cause malaria.None of the medications are 100 percent efficient in treating or preventing all forms of malaria. Consult your physician when you experience vomiting, fever, or diarrhoea while you are on treatment.When you are using aralen phosphate, it is possible that you will require regular medical examinations and eye exams.Keep at room temperature, far from heat, humidity, and light.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Consult your physician for directions in case you missed the dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention immediately, or contact us for help at the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222. A fatal overdose of aralen phosphate can cause death and requires immediate treatment.Overdose symptoms can include the feeling of drowsiness or changes in vision, seizures, a slow heart rate, and a weak pulse. rapid heartbeats, sudden dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, and slow breathing (breathing might cease).Be sure to keep Aralen Phosphate out of the reach of children. An aralen phosphate overdose could cause death for a child who takes a dose of this medication.

What should be avoided?

The medicine can cause blurred vision and could cause a decrease in your reaction. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects this medication will have on your vision.Do not take an antacid as well as Kaopectate (kaolin-pectin) within 4 hours prior to or 4 hours following the taking of Aralen Phosphate.

Interaction with other drug

Aralen phosphate could cause a grave heart problem. Your risk of developing heart problems could be higher if you take some other drugs to treat asthma, infections, heart issues, high blood pressure, depression, cancer, mental illness, malaria, or HIV.If you are taking ampicillin, an antibiotic known as ampicillin, you should take it two hours prior to or two hours after taking the dose of aralen phosphate.

Discuss with your doctor all other medicines you take, particularly:

  • Cimetidine;
  • Cyclosporine;
  • Mefloquine;
  • Praziquantel;
  • Tamoxifen,
  • Insulin, or oral diabetes medication.

This list isn't complete. Other medications can interfere with aralen phosphate, which includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs, which are listed here.

 

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