Chloroquine Hydrochloride

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** The hydrochloride salt of chloroquine, a synthetic quinoline with antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties. Chloroquine is the most widely used drug against malaria, except for those cases caused by chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Although the mechanism of action is not fully understood, chloroquine is shown to inhibit the parasitic enzyme heme polymerase that converts the toxic heme into non-toxic hemazoin, thereby resulting in the accumulation of toxic heme within the parasite. Chloroquine may also interfere with the biosynthesis of nucleic acids.

**Synonyms:** - CHLOROQUINE HYDROCHLORIDE