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Chloroquine
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<p>Chloroquine is an antiparasitic medication that treats malaria. It works by increasing the levels of haeme in the blood, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading. Certain types of malaria, resistant strains, and complicated cases typically require different or additional medication. Chloroquine is also occasionally used for <a href="/facts/Amebiasis/VdNpYVKC">amebiasis</a> that is occurring outside the <a href="/facts/Intestines/nK2zwqBS">intestines</a>, <a href="/facts/Rheumatoid_arthritis/qFK4Xwv7">rheumatoid arthritis</a>, and <a href="/facts/Lupus_erythematosus/MrAollWP">lupus erythematosus</a>. While it has not been formally studied in pregnancy, it appears safe. It is taken by mouth. It was studied to treat <a href="/facts/COVID-19/YsUgvsaX">COVID-19</a> early in the <a href="/facts/COVID-19_pandemic/0xTsh7Ut">pandemic</a>, but these studies were largely halted in the northern summer of 2020, and the <a href="/facts/National_Institutes_of_Health/G3Eytfcc">NIH</a> does not recommend its use for this purpose. </p><p>Common side effects include muscle problems, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and skin rash. Serious side effects include problems with vision, muscle damage, <a href="/facts/Seizures/zuIrQyze">seizures</a>, and <a href="/facts/Aplastic_anemia/8VMHLI6J">low blood cell levels</a>. Chloroquine is a member of the drug class <a href="/facts/4-Aminoquinoline/LKcKwq1W">4-aminoquinoline</a>. As an antimalarial, it works against the asexual form of the <a href="/facts/Malaria_parasite/Je91qK4F">malaria parasite</a> in the stage of its life cycle within the <a href="/facts/Red_blood_cell/Kggpq8Jh">red blood cell</a>. How it works in rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus is unclear. </p><p>Chloroquine was discovered in 1934 by <a href="/facts/Hans_Andersag/W1TWoIz3">Hans Andersag</a>. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. It is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. </p>