Reach high concentration in RBCs, liver so it is effective in hepatic amoebiasis with little or no effect on intestinal or lumenal one.
Indication:
- Prevention of amoebic liver abscess during ttt of intestinal amoebiasis
- treatment of amoebic liver abscess in case of failure or contraindication to flagyl
- Following Metronidazole for ttt of amoebic hepatitis
Uses
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clinical Treatment: Drug of choice for acute attack of P. vivax, ovale, malariae, & non-resistant falciparum. (P. falciparum is becoming resistant)
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Prophylaxis: Effective in P. vivax & ovale regions. Also for P. falciparum in non-resistant regions. before traveling, taking one dose weekly
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Other uses: Hepatic amoebiasis & some autoimmune diseases ( like, rheumatoid arthritis & SLE )
Side effects: Y?
- Neurological: headache, anorexia, malaise, optic neuritis & rarely seizures.
- CVS: Cardiac depression, vasodilation & Hypotension. *Give slow IV infusion & monitor cardiac functions. *
- Heamatologic: Heamatolysis in G6PD deficiency.
Cautions/ Contraindications:
Visual defects, epilepsy, heart failure.
HYDROXY-CHLOROQUINE:
Less likely to cause optic neuritis. -Used in rheumatoid artharitis.
AMODIAQUINE:Y
Can cause agranulocytosis. - Recommended for chloroquine resistant malaria.