The Cure?

[k.d.]

Chloroquine Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 30, 2019.

• Overview
  
• Side Effects
  
• Dosage
  
• Professional
  
• Interactions
  
• More
  

• Professional
  
• Managing Side Effects
  

For the Consumer
Applies to chloroquine: oral tablet
Along with its needed effects, chloroquine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking chloroquine:
Incidence not known

• Anxiety
  
• attempts at killing oneself
  
• back, leg, or stomach pains
  
• black, tarry stools
  
• bleeding gums
  
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  
• blood in the urine or stools
  
• blurred or decreased vision
  
• change in near or distance vision
  
• chest discomfort or pain
  
• chills
  
• cold sweats
  
• confusion
  
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
  
• cough
  
• dark urine
  
• diarrhea
  
• difficulty in focusing the eyes
  
• difficulty with speaking
  
• difficulty with swallowing
  
• disturbed color perception
  
• dizziness
  
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  
• double vision
  
• drooling
  
• fast, slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
  
• feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
  
• feeling that others can hear your thoughts
  
• feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
  
• fever
  
• general tiredness and weakness
  
• halos around lights
  
• headache
  
• hearing loss
  
• inability to move the eyes
  
• increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
  
• joint or muscle pain
  
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  
• light-colored stools
  
• loss of balance control
  
• lower back or side pain
  
• muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
  
• muscular pain, tenderness, wasting, or weakness
  
• night blindness
  
• nausea
  
• overbright appearance of lights
  
• painful or difficult urination
  
• pale skin
  
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
  
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  
• red, irritated eyes
  
• restlessness
  
• shuffling walk
  
• skin rash, hives, or itching
  
• sore throat
  
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  
• sticking out of the tongue
  
• stiffness of the limbs
  
• sweating
  
• swollen or painful glands
  
• tightness in the chest
  
• trouble breathing
  
• tunnel vision
  
• twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
  
• uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
  
• unusual bleeding or bruising
  
• unusual tiredness or weakness
  
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
  
• vomiting
  
• yellow eyes and skin
  

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking chloroquine:
Symptoms of overdose

• Cold, clammy skin
  
• decreased urine
  
• drowsiness
  
• dry mouth
  
• fast, weak pulse
  
• increased thirst
  
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  
• loss of appetite
  
• muscle pain or cramps
  
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
  

Some side effects of chloroquine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known

• Change in hair color
  
• hair loss
  
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
  
• severe sunburn
  
• stomach cramps
  
• trouble sleeping
  
• weight loss