What is the easiest way to calculate the correct dose of chloroquine for babies and young children?
A. The dose steps for chloroquine syrup are not the same as for chloroquine tablets and a child may be prescribed a different dose of chloroquine depending on whether they take tablets or syrup (link to tables). The main reason for any differences is due to the different amount of chloroquine base within the syrup and the tablets. The chloroquine syrup formulation contains 50 mg chloroquine base / 5 mls syrup. The amount of chloroquine base contained within the tablets is 150mg (Nivaquine) and 155mg (Avloclor). An additional factor which might be confusing is that the packet insert for chloroquine phosphate (Avloclor) gives different dosages (usually lower) for children than the ACMP Guidelines and the BNF. The Guidelines and BNF dosages should be used. While there is an optimum dose of chloroquine base for children of every weight, the final dosage given to the child will depend, in part, on the practicality of administering the formulation of chloroquine available (i.e. either tablet
A. The dose steps for chloroquine syrup are not the same as for chloroquine tablets and a child may be prescribed a different dose of chloroquine depending on whether they take tablets or syrup (See Malaria Guidelines for dosage tables). The main reason for any differences is due to the different amount of chloroquine base within the syrup and the tablets. The chloroquine syrup formulation contains 50mg chloroquine base / 5mls syrup. The amount of chloroquine base contained within the tablets is 150mg (Nivaquine) and 155mg (Avloclor). An additional factor which might be confusing is that the packet insert for chloroquine phosphate (Avloclor) gives different dosages (usually lower) for children than the Malaria Guidelines and the BNF. The malaria guidelines and BNF dosages should be used. While there is an optimum dose of chloroquine base for children of every weight, the final dosage given to the child will depend, in part, on the practicality of administering the formulation of chloro
