‘Chloroquine Could Lead To Blindness’
Jul 10, 2003
HEALTH experts have warned that excessive use of anti-malarial drugs, chloroquine, quinine and mepacrine can cause blindness.
By John Eremu
HEALTH experts have warned that excessive use of anti-malarial drugs, chloroquine, quinine and mepacrine can cause blindness.
Prof. Medi Kawuma, a consultant ophthalmologist at the Makerere University Medical School, and Dr. C.L. Sezi, a Malariologist at Mulago Hospital told an international students’ conference on malaria control on Tuesday that research had shown the three drugs had toxic effects and could lead to total or partial visual impairment.
They warned against self-medication and particularly by mothers who take their children to several clinics when not satisfied with the treatment offered by a health practitioner.
“We need to warn the mothers that drugs don’t work like bombs. You can’t get results there and then. Drugs take time,†Sezi said.
The conference on the theme: “Conquering The Malaria Challenge: What Is The Way Forward?†drew delegates from universities in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan, Sweden, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and the DR Congo.
Present were Dr. Patrice Piola from Medicens Sans Frontiers and Mr. Michael Okia, a senior entomologist with the Malaria Control Programme.
Kawuma said ocular toxic effect of chloroquine was on the rise in Uganda at a disturbing rate.
“It is particularly common in relatively small, low weight patients. Toxic effects are more common among patients who exceed a standard daily dose of 250 milligramme of Chloroquine,†he said.
Kawuma said excessive use of chloroquine leads to toxic deposits on the cornea and macular leading to blurred vision and inability to distinguish colours.
Ends
HEALTH experts have warned that excessive use of anti-malarial drugs, chloroquine, quinine and mepacrine can cause blindness.
Prof. Medi Kawuma, a consultant ophthalmologist at the Makerere University Medical School, and Dr. C.L. Sezi, a Malariologist at Mulago Hospital told an international students’ conference on malaria control on Tuesday that research had shown the three drugs had toxic effects and could lead to total or partial visual impairment.
They warned against self-medication and particularly by mothers who take their children to several clinics when not satisfied with the treatment offered by a health practitioner.
“We need to warn the mothers that drugs don’t work like bombs. You can’t get results there and then. Drugs take time,†Sezi said.
The conference on the theme: “Conquering The Malaria Challenge: What Is The Way Forward?†drew delegates from universities in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan, Sweden, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and the DR Congo.
Present were Dr. Patrice Piola from Medicens Sans Frontiers and Mr. Michael Okia, a senior entomologist with the Malaria Control Programme.
Kawuma said ocular toxic effect of chloroquine was on the rise in Uganda at a disturbing rate.
“It is particularly common in relatively small, low weight patients. Toxic effects are more common among patients who exceed a standard daily dose of 250 milligramme of Chloroquine,†he said.
Kawuma said excessive use of chloroquine leads to toxic deposits on the cornea and macular leading to blurred vision and inability to distinguish colours.
Ends