Chloroquine or proguanil
Dosage schedule
Antimalarial |
Dose |
Schedule |
Long term travel |
Chloroquine |
2 x 250mg Avloclor® tablets once weekly. |
Take one week before travel to, throughout stay in and for four weeks after leaving endemic area. |
Can be taken continuously for three years. Beyond this, regular ophthalmic examinations are recommended every three to six months. |
OR |
Proguanil |
2 x 100mg Paludrine® tablets daily |
Take one week (or at least two days if this is not possible) before travel to, throughout stay in and for four weeks after leaving endemic area. |
Can be taken for five years if considered necessary |
Children’s doses
Calculate the dose by weight in kilograms (kg) rather than by the age for infants and children. The following doses are based on guidelines from the Public Health England Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention (ACMP) and may differ from doses in patient information leaflets (PILs)/SPCs (off-licence doses should not be sold, but must be prescribed). Contact the NPA Pharmacy Services team for further advice.
Weight |
Chloroquine
once weekly |
OR |
Proguanil
once daily |
Under 6.0kg |
1/4 tablet |
1/4 tablet |
6.0–9.9kg |
1/2 tablet |
1/2 tablet |
10.0–15.9kg |
3/4 tablet |
3/4 tablet |
16.0–24.9kg |
1 tablet |
1 tablet |
25.0–44.9kg |
1 and 1/2 tablets |
1 and 1/2 tablets |
45kg and over |
2 tablets |
2 tablets |
NB: The dose steps for chloroquine syrup are not the same as for chloroquine tablets, because the tablets differ from the syrup in chloroquine base content. It is preferable to avoid crushing tablets; however, chloroquine, proguanil, mefloquine and atovaquone/proguanil tablets may be crushed and mixed with jam, honey, pasteurised yoghurt or similar for ease of administration to young children. Tablets may be cut using tablet cutters where necessary. Crushing, cutting or mixing tablets with foods/drinks may be off-licence, therefore, individual SPCs should be checked and specific manufacturers should be contacted
Weight |
Chloroquine syrup (50mcg/5ml base)
weekly dose |
Under 4.5kg |
2.5ml |
4.5 – 7.9kg |
5.0ml |
8.0 – 10.9kg |
7.5ml |
11.0 – 14.9kg |
10ml |
15.0 – 16.5kg |
12.5ml |