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Delagil
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Indications Delagil
It is indicated for the prevention and treatment of malaria, as well as for the elimination of liver abscess caused by amoeba, amoebiasis (extraintestinal form), chronic or subacute stage of Libman-Sachs disease and, in addition, porphyria, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic scleroderma and photodermatitis.
Release form
Available in tablet form - 10 tablets on one blister. One package contains 3 blister strips.
Pharmacodynamics
The drug belongs to the category of antimalarial and amoebicidal drugs. It is a derivative of 4-aminoquinoline. Delagil is used in the standard treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The drug slows down the process of DNA synthesis, affecting the activity of enzymes, as well as the speed of immunological transformations occurring in the body. The antimalarial effect is based on the rapid destruction of various types of plasmodia (asexual forms) - such as Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium falciparum, and Plasmodium vivax.
By slowing down the processes of nucleic acid fusion, the drug acquires immunosuppressive and non-specific anti-inflammatory properties.
Pharmacokinetics
Chloroquine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. The active substance reaches its peak plasma concentration after 2-6 hours.
Synthesis with plasma protein is 55%. Chloroquine accumulates in the spleen, kidneys with liver, and lungs. It is well synthesized with thrombocytes and granulocytes, and also passes through the placenta and BBB. It is excreted with milk. A small part of the substance (approximately 25%) undergoes metabolism in the liver.
The half-life is 30-60 days. Approximately 70% of the substance is excreted unchanged. Acidic urine accelerates the process of drug excretion.
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Dosing and administration
Delagil is taken orally after meals.
To eliminate malaria, a dosage of 2-2.75 g is required for the entire treatment course: 1 g on the 1st day, 0.5 g again 11-12 hours later, then 0.5-0.75 g once on the 2nd and 3rd days. Adults can take no more than 1.5 g of the drug at a time. For children aged 6-10, the dosage on the 1st day is 0.25 g, then 0.125 g on the 2nd and 3rd days of therapy. For children aged 10-15, the dosage on the 1st day is 0.5 g, then 0.25 g on the 2nd and 3rd days.
To prevent the development of malaria infection - 2 times a week in the amount of 0.5 g, then 1 time a week at 0.5 g.
For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis - drink 0.5 g per day (in 2 doses) for 6-8 days. After that, drink 0.25 g of the medicine every day for 12 months.
For the treatment of amebiasis: a dosage of 500 mg three times a day for one week, then 250 mg three times a day for another week. Then 750 mg twice a week for 2-6 months.
To eliminate Libman-Sachs disease, you need to drink 250-500 mg every day.
For the treatment of photodermatitis: 250 mg every day for 7 days, then 500-750 mg once a week.
Use Delagil during pregnancy
Delagil should not be prescribed to pregnant women.
Contraindications
Among the contraindications of the drug:
- kidney or liver failure;
- severe forms of heart rhythm disturbances;
- suppression of the hematopoietic process within the bone marrow;
- hematoporphyrinuria or neutropenia;
- intolerance to drug components;
- children under 6 years of age.
Side effects Delagil
The following side effects sometimes occur as a result of taking the medication:
- organs of the nervous system: headaches and dizziness, the appearance of seizures, the development of psychomotor agitation, psychosis or insomnia, and in addition neuropathy;
- musculoskeletal system organs: development of myopathies;
- sensory organs: the appearance of tinnitus, accommodation or hearing disorders, deterioration of visual perception, development of retinopathy, clouding of the cornea, and also a reversible form of keratopathy;
- digestive system organs: occurrence of nausea with vomiting, as well as diarrhea, abdominal pain (spastic type), development of anorexia, weight loss, and hepatotoxicity;
- cardiovascular system: cardiomyopathy may develop or blood pressure may decrease;
- skin reactions: rashes and itching, development of dermatitis, disruption of skin pigmentation, photosensitivity, and alopecia.
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Overdose
An overdose of the drug results in vomiting, convulsions, collapse, suppression of the respiratory process, and loss of consciousness.
To eliminate the disorders, you should perform gastric lavage and drink adsorbents. If the intoxication was severe, you can use plasmacytophoresis, as well as peritoneal dialysis.
Interactions with other drugs
Concomitant administration with other antimalarial drugs enhances the properties of Delagil.
It is prohibited to combine with cytostatic agents, levamisole, as well as gold and penicillamine drugs, because such a combination can increase the side effects of the drug.
Concomitant use with MAO inhibitors increases the toxic properties of Delagil.
Long-term combined use of Delagil and cardiac glycosides may cause glycoside poisoning.
The toxic effect of the drug on the liver is enhanced when combined with ethanol.
Combination with GCS increases the risk of myopathy, and also cardiomyopathy.
Concomitant use with antacid drugs disrupts the absorption process of chloroquine.
When combined with cimetidine, plasma levels of chloroquine may increase.
Storage conditions
The medicine should be kept in standard conditions for medicines - a dry, dark place. The temperature should not exceed 25°C.
Shelf life
Delagil is suitable for use for 5 years from the date of release of the drug.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Delagil" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.