chloroquine

[snack]

Anybody ever take the antimalaria drug - chloroquine - with interferons? It is not contra indicated, but there have been some studies 10 years ago on interferons with chloroquine and it reduced some of the antiviral properties of interferons, but mostly gamma I think. I am thinking of going into malaria chloroquine country and consequently may have to take them. I have taken them before MS with just headaches as side-effect, but who knows with interferons, doctors had no answer other than just take them better than malaria.

I do love the wonderful antiviral side-effect of interferons which has been a major factor for me to continue Avonex. Comes in handy when travelling hate to see that reduced.

[Matt]

I'm also taking chloroquine. I'm going to Belize on Monday.

It's probably not the antiviral properties of the interferons that help with MS anyway.

[snack]

I am not on chloroquine just evaluating the options.

The antiviral properties of the interferons maqy help my MS indirectly by me not catching everything that goes around. I took a 3 year break from interferons and noticed how I slowly started catching everything again. Now back on interferons I have been flu and cold free.

[Matt]

Good for you snack! I'm having my second cold since Christmass time despite Betaseron. The antiviral activity must work better for some people than for others.

[MaryLiz]

Hi Snack,
Where are you going and for how long?
If you compare getting the flu and getting malaria, it's kind of a no brainer. Malaria is potentially fatal and you can be VERY sick if you have the kind that doesn't kill you.
Granted getting the flu can be bad, but getting a cold isn't really. Once you are back from the malaria area and off cloriquine the antiviral effect should come back.
Luckily you are going to an area where you can still use chloriquine.
All that being said, I haven't done the reseach. But am interested because my job has taken me to Malaria areas and I took mefliquine in the past but don't know what I would do now. (I hadn't started on my Rebif yet).

If you are really worried you could talk to your doctor about taking Doxycycline 100mg once a day rather than chloriquine once a week. However there are side effects to taking doxy too. (abdominal complaints and increased sensitivity to the sun, etc)
Hope you have a fun adventure whatever you decide.
MaryLiz