Aralen Description

Aralen may be prescribed by your doctor to prevent or treat malaria, a disease that is caused by parasites. Malaria is common in areas of the world such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Aralen is a prescription strength medication that is taken orally as directed by your doctor and is available as Aralen or the generic alternative Chloroquine Phosphate. Aralen should be taken with food to help prevent stomach upset. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

How Aralen Works

The active ingredient in Aralen is called Chloroquine Phosphate. When taken as directed, Aralen targets the parasites as they enter your red blood cells. It is believed that the actions of Chloroquine Phosphate prevent the parasites from being able to produce a protective chemical that saves them from a toxic substance that occurs when they digest the oxygen carrying pigment hemoglobin. This disruption kills the parasites as the levels of the toxic substance rises.

Conditions Treated by Aralen

Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a female mosquito and then live in body tissues such as red blood cells or the liver. In some cases, you may need to take a different medication, such as Primaquine to kill malaria parasites that are living in other body tissues. A combination of Primaquine and Aralen may be indicated for complete treatment and prevention of a relapse.

Aralen may also be prescribed to treat extraintestinal Amebiasis, an infection by the parasite entameba histolytica in tissues outside of the intestines. Amebiasis is common in tropical countries with underdeveloped sanitation. The symptoms of Amebiasis include loose stool, abdominal cramping, and stomach pain.

Before Aralen is Prescribed to You

Ask your doctor if Aralen is safe to take if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or are breast feeding. You should advise your doctor if you have psoriasis, porphyria, liver disease, alcoholism, G6PD deficiency, or a history of problems with your vision or hearing, as this may affect your ability to safely take Aralen.

Aralen Risks and Precautions

Chloroquine may cause a condition known as QT prolongation that affects the heart rhythm. This risk may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking certain medications. It is important to provide your doctor with a list of all over the counter and Rx medications, including vitamins and supplements that you take or use.

Possible Side Effects of Aralen

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Abdominal Cramps
• Temporary hair loss
• Mild muscle weakness

You should stop using Aralen and contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the following more serious side effects: vision problems, hearing loss, seizures, severe muscle weakness or a severe skin reaction.

Drugs Similar to Aralen

• Lariam
• Humatin
• Plaquenil