# Chloroquine in Nigeria

Chloroquine has 14 active NAFDAC registrations in our October 2026 copy of the register, from 12 registration holders; 17 further listings have lapsed.

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/chloroquine/
- Drug class: Antimalarial (Aminoquinoline) (Antimalarials)
- Also known as: Chloroquine phosphate, Chloroquine sulphate, Nivaquine, Malarivon
- Prescription required: no
- On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- Last updated: February 2026

## Price in Nigeria

Chloroquine prices in Nigeria vary by brand, strength, and where you buy it. Confirm the current price with a licensed pharmacy, and always check the product is NAFDAC-registered before you pay.

## What is Chloroquine?

Chloroquine is one of the oldest and historically most important antimalarial drugs in the world. For decades, it was the backbone of malaria treatment and prevention across Africa, including Nigeria, where it was cheap, widely available, and effective. Many Nigerians who grew up in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s will remember chloroquine as the bitter-tasting malaria medicine that was a household staple. However, the story of chloroquine in Nigeria is also a cautionary tale about drug resistance. Due to decades of widespread and often inappropriate use, the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite that is most common in Nigeria developed extensive resistance to chloroquine, rendering it largely ineffective for treating the most dangerous form of malaria in the country.

Because of this resistance, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health officially changed its malaria treatment policy in 2005, removing chloroquine as the recommended first-line treatment and replacing it with Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) like Artemether-Lumefantrine. Despite this policy change, chloroquine remained available in many markets and medicine stores across Nigeria for years, and some people continued to use it out of habit, cost considerations, or lack of awareness. It is critically important for Nigerians to understand that chloroquine is no longer effective against the type of malaria most commonly found in Nigeria. Using chloroquine to treat Plasmodium falciparum malaria can delay proper treatment and lead to severe malaria or death.

That said, chloroquine is not entirely obsolete. It remains effective against Plasmodium vivax malaria, which is less common in Nigeria but found in some parts of the country and other regions of the world. Additionally, chloroquine has found new life as a treatment for autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis, where it is used to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms. It is also on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for these non-malaria uses. If you have been diagnosed with malaria in Nigeria, please use the recommended ACT drugs instead of chloroquine.

## What is Chloroquine used for?

- Treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria (NOT for P. falciparum, which is most common in Nigeria)
- Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
- Treatment of amoebic liver abscess (as an adjunct)
- No longer recommended for prevention or treatment of P. falciparum malaria in Nigeria due to widespread resistance

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: For P. vivax malaria: 600mg (base) initially, then 300mg after 6-8 hours, then 300mg daily for 2 more days (total 1,500mg base over 3 days). Note: 250mg chloroquine phosphate tablet contains approximately 150mg chloroquine base. For lupus/rheumatoid arthritis: 250mg daily or as prescribed by a specialist.
- Children: For P. vivax malaria: 10mg base/kg initially, then 5mg base/kg at 6-8 hours, then 5mg base/kg daily for 2 more days. The syrup formulation (100mg/5ml) is easier to dose in children. Do NOT use for P. falciparum malaria in Nigerian children. Use ACTs instead.
- Elderly: Same dosing as adults but use with caution. Elderly patients are more susceptible to chloroquine toxicity, particularly retinal (eye) toxicity and cardiac effects. Lower doses may be needed for those with reduced kidney function.

IMPORTANT: Chloroquine is NO LONGER recommended for treating Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Nigeria due to widespread resistance. If you have malaria symptoms such as fever, headache, and body pain, use an ACT like Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem/Lonart) instead. Chloroquine has a narrow margin of safety, and overdose can be rapidly fatal, especially in children. Keep out of reach of children at all times.

## Side effects

Common: Bitter taste in the mouth; Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite; Abdominal cramps and diarrhoea; Headache and dizziness; Itching and skin rash (pruritus, particularly common in dark-skinned individuals); Blurred vision; Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

Serious (seek medical help immediately): Retinal toxicity (damage to the eye, especially with long-term use); Cardiac arrhythmias and heart block (can be fatal in overdose); Severe hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure); Seizures and convulsions; Bone marrow suppression (aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis); Psychosis and neuropsychiatric effects; Myopathy (muscle weakness) with chronic use; Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

When to see a doctor: Seek immediate medical attention if you or anyone experiences signs of overdose such as drowsiness, visual disturbances, seizures, difficulty breathing, or collapse after taking chloroquine. Chloroquine overdose is a medical emergency and can be fatal within hours. Also see a doctor if you develop severe itching, changes in vision, irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, or mood changes while taking chloroquine. If using chloroquine long-term for lupus or arthritis, have regular eye examinations at least every 6-12 months.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Known hypersensitivity to chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine; Pre-existing retinal or visual field changes attributable to 4-aminoquinoline compounds; Patients with known epilepsy or seizure disorders (lowers seizure threshold); Patients with myasthenia gravis; Patients with porphyria; Severe hepatic (liver) impairment.

Interactions: Antacids and kaolin: reduce chloroquine absorption (take 4 hours apart); Mefloquine: increased risk of seizures when combined; Digoxin: chloroquine increases digoxin levels, risk of toxicity; Ampicillin: chloroquine may reduce absorption of ampicillin; Cimetidine: increases chloroquine levels; Anti-epileptic drugs: chloroquine may reduce their effectiveness; QT-prolonging drugs: additive risk of dangerous heart rhythm abnormalities.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Chloroquine is generally considered safe in pregnancy for the treatment of P. vivax malaria and for autoimmune conditions, and has a long track record of use. However, it must not be used for P. falciparum malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria due to resistance. For malaria in pregnancy in Nigeria, use ACTs (in second and third trimesters) or quinine (in first trimester) as recommended. Chloroquine passes into breast milk in small amounts but is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before use.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Emzor Chloroquine (Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries, made in Nigeria); Nivaquine (Sanofi, made in France); Maxiquine (Vitabiotics Nigeria Limited, made in Nigeria).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/chloroquine/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Check for the NAFDAC registration number on the packaging. All genuine chloroquine products sold in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC registration number. Verify the number on the NAFDAC website.
2. Scratch the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) panel if present and send the code via SMS to confirm the product is genuine.
3. Buy only from licensed pharmacies or patent medicine stores. Chloroquine is one of the most commonly counterfeited drugs in Nigeria due to its long history and low cost.
4. Inspect the tablets for consistent colour, shape, and size. Chloroquine tablets are typically white or slightly off-white. Any unusual colour or crumbling may indicate a fake product.
5. Check expiry dates carefully. Because chloroquine use for malaria has declined significantly, some stocks in circulation may be expired. Never use expired medication.

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### Is chloroquine still NAFDAC approved for sale in Nigeria?

Yes, chloroquine is still NAFDAC-registered and legally sold in Nigeria. NAFDAC registration means the product has met quality and safety standards for manufacturing, not necessarily that it is recommended as a treatment for a specific condition. While chloroquine is no longer recommended for P. falciparum malaria, it still has legitimate medical uses for P. vivax malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Nigerian treatment guidelines have been updated to recommend ACTs for malaria, but chloroquine remains on the market for its other approved uses.

### Why does chloroquine no longer work for malaria in Nigeria?

Chloroquine resistance developed in Nigeria over decades of widespread and sometimes inappropriate use. When chloroquine was the go-to malaria drug, it was used extensively, sometimes at incorrect doses, for incomplete durations, or even for non-malarial fevers. Over time, the Plasmodium falciparum parasites that cause the most dangerous form of malaria in Nigeria developed mutations that made them resistant to the drug. By the early 2000s, resistance rates in many parts of Nigeria exceeded 50%, meaning more than half of malaria cases treated with chloroquine were failing. This led the Federal Ministry of Health to officially switch to ACTs in 2005. Some recent research suggests partial return of chloroquine sensitivity in some areas, but it is still not recommended for use.

### Can I use chloroquine to prevent malaria in Nigeria?

No, chloroquine is not recommended for malaria prevention (prophylaxis) in Nigeria because of widespread resistance of the local P. falciparum parasite. In the past, many Nigerians took chloroquine weekly during the rainy season as prevention, but this practice is no longer effective and is not recommended. For malaria prevention in Nigeria, the best approaches are sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), using indoor residual spraying (IRS), and promptly treating any confirmed malaria with effective ACTs. Travellers from non-malaria countries visiting Nigeria should consult their doctors about appropriate prophylaxis options such as atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)