chloroquine /klôr″əkwīn′/ , an antimalarial. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed in the treatment of malaria, extraintestinal amebiasis, rheumatoid arthritis, discoid lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, pemphigus, and photoallergic reactions. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Retinal or visual field changes, porphyria, or known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its use. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among the more serious adverse reactions are GI disturbances, headache, visual disturbances resulting from retinal damage, and pruritus. It can turn the skin blue/black and/or the urine brown/black, bleach the hair, and cause photosensitivity.
