Chloroquine phosphate 250 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Treating malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax (and other chloroquine-sensitive malaria), as per the national malaria programme; Preventing malaria when travelling to areas where chloroquine still works, when a doctor prescribes it.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.48 to ₹1.43 per tablet across 8 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chloroquine Phosphate Tablets IP 250 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹5.00 | ₹0.50 | 19 October 2026 |
| Troyquin 250 | Troikaa Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | 10 | ₹4.76 | ₹0.48 | 19 October 2026 |
| Anaquin 250 | Natco Pharma Ltd | 10 | ₹5.60 | ₹0.56 | 19 October 2026 |
| Cloquin 250 | Indoco Remedies Ltd | 10 | ₹6.49 | ₹0.65 | 19 October 2026 |
| Nivaquine P 250 | Abbott | 10 | ₹7.71 | ₹0.77 | 19 October 2026 |
| Quinross 250 | Wockhardt Ltd | 10 | ₹9.77 | ₹0.98 | 19 October 2026 |
| Resochin | Bayer Zydus Pharma Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹12.49 | ₹1.25 | 19 October 2026 |
| Lariago 250 | Ipca Laboratories Ltd | 10 | ₹14.28 | ₹1.43 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Treating malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax (and other chloroquine-sensitive malaria), as per the national malaria programme.
- Preventing malaria when travelling to areas where chloroquine still works, when a doctor prescribes it.
- Amoebic liver abscess, along with other medicines.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, under a specialist, when hydroxychloroquine is not used.
How to take it
Take the tablets with food or milk to reduce stomach upset, exactly as your doctor or the malaria treatment card says – for an attack of vivax malaria the usual pattern is a larger first dose followed by smaller doses over the next days (3 days in total), and for prevention one dose once a week on the same day, starting before travel and continuing after return. Swallow with water; the taste is bitter, so do not chew. Complete the full course even if the fever settles. Vivax malaria also needs a separate course of primaquine to prevent relapse, which your doctor will prescribe after a G6PD test. See a doctor at once if fever returns, you cannot keep tablets down, or you notice blurred vision, fainting or an irregular heartbeat. Keep tablets locked away – an overdose is very dangerous for children.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhoea.
- Headache.
- Itching – common in Indian patients and not an allergy.
- Bitter taste; mild hair loss or rash with longer use.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Blurred vision, difficulty reading, flashes of light or ringing in the ears – stop and see a doctor.
- Irregular or slow heartbeat, dizziness or fainting – emergency.
- Muscle weakness, seizures, confusion or mood changes.
- Very low blood sugar, or signs of overdose – vomiting, drowsiness, collapse.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol during treatment; it worsens nausea and liver stress and can add to dizziness.
Pregnancy
Chloroquine is used to treat and prevent malaria in pregnancy under a doctor's care, as untreated malaria is more dangerous. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease; the dose may need lowering for long-term use.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease; caution is needed, especially with alcohol or other liver-affecting medicines.
Children
Used in children with the dose calculated by weight. Keep tablets out of reach – a small overdose can be fatal in a child.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is nearly due, then skip it. Do not double the dose.
Interactions
- Antacids and kaolin – take at least 4 hours apart; they reduce absorption.
- Ampicillin – take at least 2 hours apart.
- Cimetidine – raises chloroquine levels; use another acid medicine.
- Medicines that affect heart rhythm – azithromycin, amiodarone, some antipsychotics – higher risk of irregular heartbeat.
- Epilepsy medicines – chloroquine can lower the seizure threshold.
- Oral typhoid and rabies vaccines – tell your doctor; timing may need adjusting.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lariago 250 used for?
Lariago contains chloroquine phosphate 250 mg (150 mg chloroquine base). It treats vivax malaria and chloroquine-sensitive malaria, prevents malaria in some areas, and is sometimes used for amoebic liver abscess and autoimmune conditions.
How many Lariago tablets for malaria?
The dose depends on body weight and is given over 3 days – a larger first dose, then smaller doses. Follow the exact schedule your doctor or the malaria treatment card gives; do not guess from the strip.
Does chloroquine work for falciparum malaria in India?
Mostly no. Falciparum malaria in India is largely resistant to chloroquine, so it is treated with artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). Chloroquine is reserved for vivax malaria under the national programme.
Why do I get itching after Lariago?
Itching is a well-known side effect of chloroquine, especially in Indian and African patients. It is not an allergy and usually settles after the course; an antihistamine can help.
Can I take Resochin with alcohol?
Avoid alcohol while being treated. It worsens nausea and dizziness, and you need rest and fluids to recover from malaria.
Is chloroquine safe in pregnancy?
Yes, it is one of the antimalarials used in pregnancy because malaria itself is dangerous for mother and baby. Take it only as your doctor prescribes.
Can chloroquine damage the eyes?
Long-term use for arthritis or lupus can damage the retina, which is why regular eye checks are needed. A short 3-day malaria course does not usually cause this.
Can I take chloroquine for COVID-19?
No. Trials showed it does not help and can cause serious heart side effects. It should be taken only for malaria or the conditions your doctor prescribes it for.
Is Lariago available without a prescription?
Chloroquine is a Schedule H medicine. Malaria must be confirmed with a blood test before treatment, and government clinics provide it free under the malaria programme.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Chloroquine (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms