Definition

1. Noun:
   • An antimalarial drug: A synthetic pharmaceutical compound primarily used for the prevention and treatment of malaria, a disease caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites.
   • A drug for other conditions: Also used in the treatment of certain other conditions, such as extraintestinal amebiasis (amebic dysentery) and systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Chloroquine was once a first-line treatment for malaria in many parts of the world.
  • The doctor prescribed chloroquine for her lupus symptoms.
  • Due to widespread resistance, chloroquine is no longer effective against malaria in several regions.

Advanced Usage

• "Chloroquine resistance": Refers to the evolved ability of the malaria parasite to survive and multiply despite the presence of the drug.

  • The spread of chloroquine resistance has necessitated the development of new antimalarial therapies.

• "Chloroquine phosphate": The common salt form of the drug used in pharmaceutical preparations.

  • The medication is typically administered as chloroquine phosphate.

Variants and Related Words

• Hydroxychloroquine (noun): A closely related derivative of chloroquine, often used for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. It generally has a more favorable side effect profile.
  • Hydroxychloroquine is frequently preferred over chloroquine for long-term management of lupus.

Synonyms

• Antimalarial (drug): A substance that prevents or treats malaria. (This is a broader category; chloroquine is a specific type of antimalarial.)
• 4-Aminoquinoline: Refers to the chemical class of drugs to which chloroquine belongs.

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning of "chloroquine" is as a specific chemical compound and medication. Its primary association is with malaria, though its therapeutic use extends to other diseases. It is not typically used in metaphorical or idiomatic expressions.

Noun

1. an antimalarial drug used to treat malaria and amebic dysentery and systemic lupus erythematosus