Chloroquine Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Chloroquine is a drug used to treat malaria.
• It has anti-inflammatory effects useful for treating autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
• Visual mnemonic: Puppies and chloro-clean analogy.

Clinical Use

• Malaria Treatment

  • Chloroquine treats malaria and can be used prophylactically to prevent relapse.
  • Mnemonic: Puppy chews up the "male" (mail) symbolizing malaria.

• Lupus Treatment

  • Chloroquine treats systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease.
  • Lupus is Latin for wolf; mnemonic: Husky puppy (looks like a wolf) represents lupus.
  • Chloroquine helps with skin and joint inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Side Effects and Management

• Gastrointestinal (GI) Upset

  • Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite.
  • Management: Advise patients to take chloroquine with food to reduce GI side effects.

• Retinal Damage

  • Adverse effect of long-term use.
  • Mnemonic: Chloro-clean splashing and damaging eyes represents retinal damage.
  • Importance of frequent eye exams for patients on chloroquine.
  • Patients should report any vision changes immediately.

Conclusion

• Summary of uses and side effects:
  • Uses: Malaria and systemic lupus erythematosus.
  • Side Effects: GI upset (minimized by taking with food), retinal damage (requires regular eye exams).

Additional Resources

• Subscribe for more educational videos.
• Access more resources like fact lists and interactive review images.

Note:

• This mnemonic helps remember key facts about chloroquine for exams like NCLEX.