Aralen (Chloroquine) – Patient Information (Australia)

Aralen is the brand name for chloroquine, a medicine used to treat or prevent certain parasitic infections. This page explains how Aralen works, how it is typically used, important safety information, and what to consider with food, alcohol, and other medicines. It is written to be easy to understand for patients in Australia.

Basic product information

• Brand: Aralen
• Generic name: Chloroquine
• Medicine type: Antimalarial and anti-inflammatory/immune-modulating (depending on the condition)
• How it’s taken: By mouth (oral tablets)

Chloroquine has been used for decades. However, its suitability depends heavily on the specific infection, local resistance patterns, patient health, and other medicines being taken.

How Aralen works (mechanism of action)

Chloroquine works in several related ways, depending on what it’s treating:

• In malaria: It interferes with the parasite’s ability to break down haemoglobin inside red blood cells. This action helps stop the malaria parasite from surviving and multiplying.
• In certain immune/inflammatory conditions: Chloroquine affects immune signalling and reduces the activity of inflammatory pathways. It can alter lysosomal function in cells, which is one reason it may help some autoimmune disorders.

Pharmacokinetics (how the body handles chloroquine)

Pharmacokinetics describes what happens to a medicine after you take it—how it’s absorbed, distributed, metabolised, and eliminated. Chloroquine has several practical implications:

• Absorption: After oral dosing, chloroquine is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Distribution: It distributes widely throughout the body, including tissues.
• Half-life: Chloroquine lasts a long time in the body. This means dosing regimens often require careful spacing, especially for long-term use.
• Metabolism: It is metabolised in the liver.
• Elimination: It is eliminated mainly via the kidneys (urine), with some contribution from faecal/biliary routes.

Because it remains in the body for an extended period, side effects can accumulate—especially with higher doses or prolonged therapy. Patients who are prescribed long courses should have regular monitoring as advised by their healthcare team.

Typical uses

1) Malaria treatment and prevention

Aralen/chloroquine is an antimalarial medicine used for certain types of malaria. Whether it can be used for prevention or treatment depends on where the infection is located and current drug resistance patterns.

• Prevention: In some circumstances, it may be used to prevent malaria in travellers.
• Treatment: It may be used to treat susceptible malaria strains (as determined by local guidance and clinician assessment).

2) Selected immune and inflammatory conditions

In some cases, chloroquine (or related medicines in the same drug class) may be used as part of management for particular immune conditions, usually when other options are not suitable. Suitability depends on the diagnosis and risk profile, including eye and heart considerations.

When to take Aralen (timing)

Timing depends on the intended use:

• For malaria prevention: Dosing schedules commonly involve a consistent weekday routine (for example, weekly regimens) and starting before travel and continuing after leaving the risk area. Your healthcare team will provide an exact schedule.
• For malaria treatment: Treatment regimens may involve multiple doses over a short period.
• For longer-term conditions: Dosing schedules may differ, and monitoring is important.

Tip: Take your tablets at the same time each day (or week) to help you remember. If you miss a dose, follow the advice given by your pharmacist or healthcare provider rather than doubling up.

Food interactions (and what to eat)

For many patients, chloroquine can be taken with or without food. However, food may help reduce stomach upset. Consider the following:

• Stomach comfort: If you experience nausea, taking the dose with a meal or snack may help.
• Consistency matters: Try to take it the same way each time (with food or consistently on an empty stomach), unless advised otherwise.

There are no common “must avoid” foods widely known for chloroquine, but individual tolerance varies. If you have dietary restrictions (e.g., due to other medical conditions), discuss them with your healthcare team.

Alcohol interactions

Alcohol does not have a single universal “never together” rule for chloroquine, but combining alcohol with medicines can increase the risk of side effects and may make it harder to follow the dosing schedule.

• Stomach and dizziness: Both alcohol and chloroquine can contribute to nausea, dizziness, or general unwell feelings.
• Safety: Avoid heavy drinking, especially during treatment courses, and seek advice if you notice worsening symptoms.
• Liver health: Because chloroquine is metabolised in the liver, heavy alcohol use may further burden the liver.

If you plan to drink alcohol while taking Aralen, discuss with your pharmacist or prescriber what’s appropriate for your situation.

Interactions with other medicines

Aralen can interact with other medicines. The most important interactions relate to heart rhythm, blood sugar, and other medicines that affect similar pathways.

Potential interaction categories

• Medicines that affect heart rhythm (QT prolongation): Some medicines can increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Chloroquine may also affect the heart’s electrical activity. Combining medicines that also prolong QT may increase risk.
• Other antimalarials: Certain combinations may be used for resistance or severity, but they must be guided by local malaria treatment protocols.
• Antidiabetic medicines: Chloroquine may affect blood glucose levels, potentially leading to high or low blood sugar in some people. People with diabetes should monitor closely if advised.
• Medicines that can lower seizure threshold: There is a risk of seizures in susceptible patients with certain medicines; chloroquine can contribute to this risk in rare situations.
• Medicines affecting liver function: Since chloroquine is metabolised by the liver, strong liver-metabolising changes may affect drug levels.

What to do

• Keep an up-to-date list of all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take.
• Inform your pharmacist about:
  • Any heart rhythm issues or fainting episodes
  • Diabetes (especially if you use insulin or tablets)
  • Any history of eye disease
  • Kidney or liver disease

Indications: what Aralen is used for

In Australia, chloroquine is used for specific indications based on clinical assessment and current guidance. It is mainly used for:

• Malaria: Prevention and treatment in situations where chloroquine-susceptible strains are expected or when guided by specialist/health authority advice.
• Some immune/inflammatory conditions: Where chloroquine is appropriate and monitoring is in place.

Because malaria risk and drug resistance vary by region, the recommended antimalarial choice can change over time. Always rely on the most current travel advice for the destination you plan to visit.

Dosing (general guidance)

Dosing must be individualized. The correct amount depends on:

• Your diagnosis (malaria prevention vs treatment vs inflammatory condition)
• Your weight and age
• Kidney and liver function
• Other medications and medical history
• Local guidance for malaria resistance

Important: Do not self-adjust your dose. Follow the schedule provided by your healthcare professional.

Common dosing patterns (for understanding only)

• Malaria prevention: Often prescribed on a weekly pattern starting before travel, continuing during travel, and extending after leaving the risk area.
• Malaria treatment: Often given as a multi-dose regimen over a short time, depending on clinical severity and local protocols.

If you have been prescribed Aralen, your pharmacist can help confirm your exact dosing schedule and how to take each dose safely. If you are a traveller, a travel clinic can advise whether chloroquine is appropriate for your itinerary.

Safety profile

Like all medicines, Aralen can cause side effects. Most are mild or manageable, but some are serious—particularly with prolonged use. Patients should pay attention to early warning signs and seek help promptly if they occur.

Common side effects

• Nausea, vomiting, or stomach discomfort
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Skin reactions (less commonly)

Serious side effects (seek urgent medical advice)

• Eye problems: Blurred vision, difficulty focusing, or any change in vision should be assessed promptly. Eye monitoring is particularly important for longer-term use.
• Heart rhythm symptoms: Palpitations, fainting, severe dizziness, or shortness of breath could indicate rhythm disturbances.
• Severe allergic reactions: Swelling of the face/lips, trouble breathing, or widespread rash.
• Neurological effects: Seizures or severe confusion are medical emergencies.
• Blood disorders: Unusual bruising, persistent fever, or marked fatigue—report promptly.

Who should take extra care

• People with pre-existing eye disease or vision problems
• People with a history of heart rhythm problems or fainting
• Those with liver disease or kidney impairment
• People taking other medicines that may interact (especially those affecting QT interval)
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: discuss individual risks and benefits with your healthcare team
• Older adults, who may be more sensitive to side effects

Practical use tips

• Use a reminder: Set a phone alarm for your daily or weekly dosing time.
• Take with food if needed: If nausea occurs, taking with a meal may help.
• Do not stop early: For malaria, stopping early can increase the risk of treatment failure.
• Monitor your symptoms: If you are treating malaria and fever symptoms worsen or do not improve as expected, seek medical attention quickly.
• Keep eye/heart monitoring on schedule: If long-term use is planned, attend all recommended check-ups.
• Check expiry dates: Use only tablets within the expiry period.
• Accidental overdose is dangerous: Keep medicines out of reach of children. If an overdose is suspected, contact emergency services or a poison information service immediately.

Missed dose guidance (general)

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember—unless it is close to the time for the next dose. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist for advice. Do not take extra tablets to “catch up” without guidance.

Alternative options

Alternatives depend on what you’re treating. For malaria, recommended medicines vary by destination and resistance patterns. For immune conditions, other disease-modifying or anti-inflammatory medicines may be considered.

Malaria alternatives (examples)

• Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs): Common for many regions due to resistance to older agents.
• Other antimalarial prophylaxis regimens: Choices may include atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or others depending on suitability and destination.

Immune condition alternatives (examples)

• Other immunomodulatory medicines may be used based on diagnosis, severity, and monitoring requirements.
• In some cases, hydroxychloroquine (a related medicine) is preferred over chloroquine due to a different side-effect profile, but suitability varies.

Your healthcare professional can advise which alternative is best for your situation—especially when malaria resistance is a factor.

Market and legal context in Australia

In Australia, medicine availability and classification are regulated through the national medicines and medicines safety framework. Access to chloroquine-containing products may be limited by schedule/classification rules, prescriber requirements, and safety considerations. Local supply can also vary across states and pharmacies.

Because malaria guidance changes and chloroquine resistance can affect effectiveness, health authorities and travel medicine services may update recommendations. Always follow the latest advice for your destination and situation.

Recent guidance (what to look for)

Guidance for malaria prevention and treatment is updated regularly due to evolving resistance patterns and safety information. If you are travelling, check:

• Current travel health recommendations for your destination
• Whether chloroquine prophylaxis is still appropriate for that region
• Whether additional mosquito bite prevention measures are recommended (e.g., insect repellent, protective clothing, bed nets)

For longer-term immune conditions, guidance may include regular monitoring (for eyes and heart) and reviewing your full medicine list to reduce interaction risks.

Delivery and availability (online pharmacy considerations)

Availability of Aralen/chloroquine can vary depending on supply and medicine classification. When ordering online, your pharmacy may:

• Confirm eligibility and provide appropriate counselling
• Use secure packaging to protect tablets during transport
• Offer delivery options that meet safety and handling expectations
• Provide information about expected dispatch and shipping times

Delivery times may vary by location within Australia. If you need urgent travel-related prophylaxis, allow time for processing, dispatch, and post-delivery availability so you can start on schedule.

FAQ

Is Aralen the same as chloroquine?

Yes. Aralen is a brand name; the active ingredient is chloroquine.

Can I take Aralen with food?

Many people tolerate chloroquine better when taken with food. If your tablets cause nausea, consider taking them with a meal or snack. Keep a consistent routine unless your pharmacist advises otherwise.

Does alcohol make chloroquine more dangerous?

Alcohol can increase the likelihood of side effects such as dizziness or stomach upset and may add strain to the liver. Avoid heavy drinking and seek advice for your specific situation.

How long does chloroquine stay in the body?

Chloroquine has a long duration in the body due to its distribution and elimination characteristics. This is why dosing schedules may span weeks and why monitoring matters during longer courses.

What side effects should make me stop and get help?

Seek urgent medical advice for symptoms such as changes in vision, palpitations/fainting, severe rash or breathing difficulty, seizures, or severe confusion.

Is Aralen suitable for malaria prevention for all travel destinations?

No. Suitability depends on local malaria resistance patterns. Always check the latest travel health advice for your destination.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double up without advice. Contact your pharmacist if you are unsure.

Are there any monitoring requirements?

For short courses, monitoring may focus on symptom response. For longer-term use, monitoring may include eye checks and possibly heart-related assessments, depending on your risk factors and dosing.

Can I take other medicines at the same time?

Some medicines may interact with chloroquine, particularly those that affect heart rhythm or blood sugar. Always provide your full medicine list to your pharmacist so they can check for interactions.

How do I store Aralen?

Store tablets as directed on the packaging—typically at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.

Note: This information is general and may not cover every individual situation. Always follow the advice of your healthcare professional.