“Use only if necessary Wary of side effects. “
indeed ...
here are the issues with chloroquine:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/chloroquine
Chloroquine Warnings
Before taking chloroquine, tell your doctor if you have, or have ever had:
Liver disease
Hearing problems
Psoriasis
Eye or vision problems
Weakness in your knees and ankles
G6PD deficiency (a genetic disorder)
Porphyria (a blood disorder)
Seizures
Stomach or intestinal problems
Kidney disease
Allergies to medicines
Also, let your doctor know if you drink large amounts of alcohol before starting on this medicine.
Your doctor will probably want to order frequent tests to check your bodys response to chloroquine. Keep all appointments with your doctor and laboratory.
Let your healthcare provider know if your symptoms either dont improve or worsen while taking this medicine.
Chloroquine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and tanning booths and wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors.
Dont receive any vaccination (especially a rabies vaccine) while using chloroquine without first discussing it with your doctor.
Pregnancy and Chloroquine
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chloroquine is considered safe to use during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if youre pregnant or might become pregnant while taking chloroquine. Youll have to discuss the risks and benefits of using this medicine during pregnancy.
Chloroquine passes into breast milk and may harm a breastfeeding baby. Dont breastfeed while taking this drug without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Chloroquine Side Effects
Common Side Effects of Chloroquine
Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects become severe or dont go away:
Loss of appetite
Mild dizziness
Mild diarrhea
Clumsiness
Mild headache
Nausea or stomach cramps
Serious Side Effects of Chloroquine
Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following severe side effects:
Unusual behavior or mood changes
Severe diarrhea
Vision problems or blurred vision
Trouble reading words or seeing parts of objects
Sensitivity to sunlight
Hearing loss
Ringing in the ears
Change in skin color
Change in color of the inside of your mouth
Fever or sore throat
Hair loss
Weight loss
Unusual weakness
Drowsiness
Seizures
Difficulty speaking
Drooling
Loss of balance
Uncontrolled movements
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Dark-colored urine
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Vomiting
Irregular heartbeat
Signs of a severe allergic reaction, which may include hives, rash, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, or swelling of the face, mouth, lips, or tongue
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Chloroquine Interactions
Tell your doctor about all prescription, nonprescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs youre taking, especially:
Antacids, such as Tagamet (cimetidine) and others
Arsenic trioxide
Rheumatrex, Trexall (methotrexate)
Tylenol (acetaminophen)
Iron products
Kaolin
Niacin
Rifadin or Rimactane (rifampin)
Nydrazid (isoniazid)
Medication for irregular heartbeat
Medication for depression or anxiety
Vitamins and herbal products
Chloroquine and Other Interactions
Chloroquine may cause dizziness.
Dont drive, operate machinery, or perform other tasks that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.
Chloroquine and Alcohol
Alcohol may worsen certain side effects of chloroquine.
Talk to your doctor about this potential interaction.”
as you said, all of the above must be weighted against the alternative ... it would be VERY foolish to consider taking this drug as a POSSIBLE prophylactic, especially for the 99% of our population who risk little except a couple of weeks of a flu-like illness should they contract coronavirus ...
Look up the possible side effects and contradictions on dam$ near ANY prescription.....People would take nothing after reading them as the list is almost always scary as he!!.