Mahaquin 250mg Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Mankind Pharma Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Chloroquine (250mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | 4-Aminoquinoline derivative |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | OPHTHAL |
| Action Class | Antimalarial- Aminoquinolines |
| User Rating | 4.8 |
| User Reviews | 364 |
FAQ
What is Mahaquin 250mg and what it is used for?
Mahaquin 250mg is an anti-malarial medicine that is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.
What are the side effects of Mahaquin 250mg?
Some of the most common side effects of this medicine are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. These side effects can often be reduced by taking the medicine with food.
What is the difference between hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were both first approved for malaria. However, chloroquine tends to cause many more side effects than hydroxychloroquine. As a result, hydroxychloroquine is more commonly used today. Hydroxychloroquine is also approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, while chloroquine is not.
How can you prevent yourself from getting malaria?
Malaria can be prevented by taking certain precautionary steps like covering your arms and legs to prevent mosquito bites, using a mosquito net and insect repellent. Check with your doctor whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets. If you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose and finish the proper course of treatment.
How long does it take for malaria symptoms to show?
Symptoms of malaria can develop as quickly as 7 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. Usually, the symptoms may take up to 7 to 18 days to appear (incubation periods) from the day of the infection. Initial symptoms of malaria are flu-like which include feeling hot and shivery, fever, muscle pains, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.
What is Mahaquin 250mg and what it is used for?
Mahaquin 250mg is an anti-malarial medicine that is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.
What is the difference between hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine?
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were both first approved for malaria. However, chloroquine tends to cause many more side effects than hydroxychloroquine. As a result, hydroxychloroquine is more commonly used today. Hydroxychloroquine is also approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, while chloroquine is not.
Can I take antacids along with Mahaquin 250mg?
If you take an antacid, give a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medications.
Can chloroquine cure coronavirus (COVID-19)?
There is not enough medical data to prove that chloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19. Therefore it is advisable not to take Mahaquin 250mg without consulting your doctor for treating COVID-19.
How long does it take for malaria symptoms to show?
Symptoms of malaria can develop as quickly as 7 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. Usually, the symptoms may take up to 7 to 18 days to appear (incubation periods) from the day of the infection. Initial symptoms of malaria are flu-like which include feeling hot and shivery, fever, muscle pains, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.
Can chloroquine cure coronavirus (COVID-19)?
There is not enough medical data to prove that chloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19. Therefore it is advisable not to take Mahaquin 250mg without consulting your doctor for treating COVID-19.
Can I take antacids along with Mahaquin 250mg?
If you take an antacid, give a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medications.
Is it safe to use Mahaquin 250mg for a long period of time?
If your doctor has prescribed you Mahaquin 250mg for a longer period of time, you should get your eyes checked regularly. This is because chloroquine present in this medicine might cause blurred vision, difficulty reading (due to words disappearing), and a rare eye condition called retinopathy if taken for a longer period of time.
Who should not use Mahaquin 250mg?
Inform your doctor if you have psoriasis before taking Mahaquin 250mg since it may make your condition worse.
Who should not use Mahaquin 250mg?
Inform your doctor if you have psoriasis before taking Mahaquin 250mg since it may make your condition worse.
What are the side effects of Mahaquin 250mg?
Some of the most common side effects of this medicine are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. These side effects can often be reduced by taking the medicine with food.
Is it safe to use Mahaquin 250mg for a long period of time?
If your doctor has prescribed you Mahaquin 250mg for a longer period of time, you should get your eyes checked regularly. This is because chloroquine present in this medicine might cause blurred vision, difficulty reading (due to words disappearing), and a rare eye condition called retinopathy if taken for a longer period of time.
How can you prevent yourself from getting malaria?
Malaria can be prevented by taking certain precautionary steps like covering your arms and legs to prevent mosquito bites, using a mosquito net, and insect repellent. Check with your doctor whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets. If you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose and finish the proper course of treatment.
What if you forget to take Mahaquin Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Mahaquin 250mg, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Mahaquin 250mg Tablet Reviews
Mahaquin 250mg is an antiparasitic medicine, used for the prevention and treatment of malaria. It works by killing the malaria-causing parasite and stops the infection from spreading.
Mahaquin 250mg should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Take it with food to decrease the risk of stomach upset. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early can result in treatment failure and increase the side effects too. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Simply take the next dose as planned. Take measures to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes like using insect repellent creams on parts of your body, not covered by clothing. Spray mosquito repellent to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms in spite of screening. Wear light-colored and covered clothing when you are outside after sunset.
Some people may experience rash, headache, dizziness, and vomiting as side effects of this medicine. It may also cause stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration.
Inform your doctor if you have diabetes as it can lower the sugar levels in the blood. If you are diabetic, you should monitor your blood sugar regularly. It may cause blurring of vision. Therefore, regular eye examinations are recommended while on treatment with this medicine. When used long-term, your doctor may monitor the amounts of the different types of blood cells in your blood regularly. Inform your doctor if you have unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, or a general feeling of tiredness.
Mahaquin 250mg should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Take it with food to decrease the risk of stomach upset. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping it early can result in treatment failure and increase the side effects too. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Simply take the next dose as planned. Take measures to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes like using insect repellent creams on parts of your body, not covered by clothing. Spray mosquito repellent to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms in spite of screening. Wear light-colored and covered clothing when you are outside after sunset.
Some people may experience rash, headache, dizziness, and vomiting as side effects of this medicine. It may also cause stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration.
Inform your doctor if you have diabetes as it can lower the sugar levels in the blood. If you are diabetic, you should monitor your blood sugar regularly. It may cause blurring of vision. Therefore, regular eye examinations are recommended while on treatment with this medicine. When used long-term, your doctor may monitor the amounts of the different types of blood cells in your blood regularly. Inform your doctor if you have unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, or a general feeling of tiredness.
How Mahaquin 250mg Tablet Works
Mahaquin 250mg 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.
How to Use Mahaquin 250mg Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Mahaquin 250mg is to be taken with food.
Benefits of Mahaquin 250mg Tablet
- In Treatment of Malaria: Mahaquin 250mg is used to treat malaria, a serious or life-threatening illness that is spread by a parasite that enters the human body by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It kills the infection causing parasite and stops further spread of the infection. Take it only as prescribed and refrain from taking any other medicines along with this medicine (unless advised by the doctor) as they may affect the absorption of this medicine. Do not use this medicine for treating any other condition without consulting your doctor.
Uses of Mahaquin 250mg Tablet
- Treatment of Malaria
Mahaquin 250mg Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Mahaquin 250mg may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Mahaquin 250mg. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Mahaquin 250mg should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Mahaquin 250mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.Regular monitoring of liver function tests may be advised while you are taking this medicine.
Kidney
CAUTION
Mahaquin 250mg should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Mahaquin 250mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Mahaquin 250mg is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Mahaquin 250mg may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.Sometimes Mahaquin 250mg causes blurred eyesight or makes it difficult to focus your eyes which may affect your ability to drive.
Quick Tips
- Spray to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms despite screening.
- Tips to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes:Wear light-colored and covered clothing when you are outside after sunset.Use insect repellent creams or sprays on parts of your body not covered by clothing.Spray to kill any mosquitoes that may have entered rooms despite screening.
- It may cause a blurring of vision when you first start taking it. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration.
- When used long-term, your doctor may monitor the amounts of the different types of blood cells in your blood regularly. Inform your doctor if you have unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, or a general feeling of tiredness.
- Take it with food to decrease the risk of stomach upset.
- Use insect repellent creams or sprays on parts of your body not covered by clothing.
- Mahaquin 250mg is used for the prevention and treatment of malaria.
- Eye examination before and at 3–6 monthly intervals during use is required if patients are receiving Mahaquin 250mg at continuous high doses for a longer duration.
- It may cause low blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar level regularly, if you are diabetic.
- Wear light-colored and covered clothing when you are outside after sunset.
References
- Medscape. Chloroquine.
- Furst DE, Ulrich RW, Varkey-Altamirano C. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs, Nonopioids Analgesics, & Drugs Used in Gout. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 630.
- Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Breastfeeding and maternal medications. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(5 Suppl):S189-98.
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 248-49.
- Center for Global Health. Chloroquine.
- Vinetz JM, Clain J, Bounkeua V, et al. Chemotherapy of Malaria. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1402-405.
- Rosenthal PJ. Antiprotozoal Drugs. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 901-904.