Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet
Chloroquine (500mg)
by Leo Pharmaceuticals
strip of 10 tablets
About this medicine
Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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. Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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.
Uses
- Treatment of Malaria
Benefits
In treatment of Malaria
Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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.
How it works
Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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
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. Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet is to be taken with food.
Common side effects
- Rash
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
Safety advice
- AlcoholCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
- PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
- Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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.
- Breast feedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
- Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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.
- DrivingUNSAFE
- Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Sometimes Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet causes blurred eyesight or makes it difficult to focus your eyes which may affect your ability to drive.
- KidneyCAUTION
- Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
- LiverCAUTION
- Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of liver function tests may be advised while you are taking this medicine.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose of Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet, 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.
Quick facts
- Chemical Class
- 4-Aminoquinoline derivative
- Habit Forming
- No
- Therapeutic Class
- Ophthal
- Action Class
- Antimalarial- Aminoquinolines
Frequently asked questions
What is Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet and what it is used for?
Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet is an anti-malarial medicine that is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.
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.
Is it safe to use Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet for a long period of time?
If your doctor has prescribed you Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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 Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet?
Inform your doctor if you have psoriasis before taking Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet since it may make your condition worse.
What are the side effects of Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet?
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.
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 Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet without consulting your doctor for treating COVID-19.
Can I take antacids along with Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet?
If you take an antacid, give a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medications.
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.
What is Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet and what it is used for?
Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet is an anti-malarial medicine that is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.
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.
Is it safe to use Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet for a long period of time?
If your doctor has prescribed you Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet 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 Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet?
Inform your doctor if you have psoriasis before taking Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet since it may make your condition worse.
What are the side effects of Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet?
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.
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 Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet without consulting your doctor for treating COVID-19.
Can I take antacids along with Leoquin EC 500mg Tablet?
If you take an antacid, give a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medications.
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.
Product details
- Manufacturer
- Leo Pharmaceuticals
- Salt composition
- Chloroquine (500mg)
- Pack
- strip of 10 tablets
- Dosage form
- Tablet
- Storage
- Store below 30°C
Same salt, other brands
Therapeutically equivalent. Ask your doctor or our pharmacist before substituting.
The content above is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a registered medical practitioner before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.