Lariago Tablet Uses: Benefits, Dosage and Side Effects

Lariago Tablet is a prescription medicine containing chloroquine phosphate. Doctors may use it to treat certain types of malaria, prevent malaria in selected travel destinations and manage extraintestinal amebiasis. Specialists may also use chloroquine for some autoimmune conditions.

Chloroquine resistance is common. Do not take Lariago Tablet without a confirmed diagnosis and prescription. Treatment depends on the parasite species, local resistance, your weight and infection severity.

What Is Lariago Tablet?

Lariago Tablet is an antiparasitic medicine. A Lariago 250 mg tablet commonly contains 250 mg of chloroquine phosphate, equivalent to 150 mg of chloroquine base. Check your pack because strengths can vary.

You may also see it called Lariago tab. It is active mainly against chloroquine-sensitive malaria parasites. It is not a general fever medicine.

How Lariago Tablet Works

Malaria parasites grow inside red blood cells and break down haemoglobin. Lariago Tablet builds up inside the parasite and prevents it from safely processing toxic haem. This damages and kills susceptible parasites.

For infection outside the intestine, chloroquine acts against Entamoeba histolytica in affected tissues. In Rheumatoid Arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, it modifies immune activity and may reduce inflammation.

Uses of Lariago Tablet

The main Lariago Tablet uses include:

• Treating uncomplicated malaria caused by chloroquine-sensitive parasites
• Preventing malaria only in areas where chloroquine remains effective
• Treating extraintestinal amebiasis, usually with another anti-amoebic medicine
• Managing selected autoimmune conditions under specialist supervision

Malaria Treatment and Prevention

Lariago Tablet may treat susceptible strains of Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae and some Plasmodium falciparum. It should not be used for severe malaria or infections acquired where resistance is common.

It clears susceptible parasites from the blood but not dormant liver forms of P. vivax or P. ovale. Your doctor may add another medicine after checking your G6PD status. For prevention, Lariago tab is suitable only for chloroquine-sensitive destinations.

Extraintestinal Amebiasis

This infection is caused by Entamoeba histolytica and can spread from the intestine to the liver. Lariago Tablet may treat an amoebic liver abscess. It is usually combined with an intestinal anti-amoebic medicine.

Do not use the medicine to self-treat diarrhoea or stomach pain. These symptoms can have several causes.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Autoimmune Conditions

Chloroquine may reduce inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis and lupus. It is not the first choice for every patient, and long-term use requires specialist eye and safety monitoring.

Lariago Tablet Dosage for Malaria

Your doctor must calculate the dose. Chloroquine doses may be written as chloroquine phosphate salt or chloroquine base, which are different amounts. Never calculate the number of tablets yourself.

Take Lariago Tablet with food and complete the course. If you miss a dose, take it unless the next dose is due soon. Never double it. Seek emergency care after any suspected overdose.

Side Effects of Lariago Tablet

Common side effects include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain or cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Itching or skin rash
• Blurred vision or difficulty focusing

Contact your doctor if these effects persist.

Common Side Effects: Headache, Dizziness and Loss of Appetite

• Headaches may come from the medicine or malaria. Seek help if they are severe or accompanied by confusion or vision changes.
• Dizziness may affect driving, so avoid driving until you know how the medicine affects you.
• Loss of appetite and stomach pain may improve when you take the tablet after food.

Seek urgent care for fainting, palpitations, seizures, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, major vision changes, hearing loss, a widespread rash or symptoms of very low blood sugar.

Precautions and Warnings

Tell your doctor before taking Lariago Tablet if you:

• Have heart rhythm problems or low potassium or magnesium
• Have retinal disease or other eye problems
• Have kidney or liver disease
• Have epilepsy, psoriasis or porphyria
• Have G6PD deficiency, anaemia or other blood disorders
• Have diabetes or episodes of low blood sugar
• Have hearing problems
• Are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Take other antimalarials or medicines affecting heart rhythm

Chloroquine can rarely cause severe hypoglycaemia, even if you do not have diabetes. Prolonged use may also cause retinal damage or blood disorders, including reduced blood cell counts.

Who Should Avoid Lariago?

Do not take Lariago Tablet if you are allergic to chloroquine or related medicines. For uses other than acute malaria, it is generally avoided if you already have retinal or visual field changes.

Your doctor may avoid it or use extra caution if you have major heart rhythm problems, severe liver or kidney impairment, uncontrolled epilepsy, psoriasis, porphyria or certain blood disorders. Keep the medicine securely away from children.

Important Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements. Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium, and kaolin, should be taken at least four hours apart from chloroquine.

Important interactions also include cimetidine, insulin, diabetes medicines, mefloquine, cyclosporine, digoxin, praziquantel, tamoxifen and medicines that affect heart rhythm.

Confirming Malaria With a Blood Test

Malaria symptoms can resemble dengue, flu and other infections. The WHO recommends parasite-based testing before antimalarial treatment whenever possible.

A malaria test may use a rapid diagnostic test or thick and thin blood smears. Microscopy can confirm parasites, identify the species and estimate parasite density. Your doctor may repeat testing if suspicion remains high.

Do not start Lariago Tablet only because you develop a fever after travelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Lariago Take to Cure Malaria?

Some people start feeling better within one or two days, but response varies. Complete the full course and seek urgent reassessment if fever persists or symptoms worsen.

Can Lariago Be Used to Prevent Malaria While Travelling?

Yes, but only where malaria remains sensitive to chloroquine. Many destinations have resistant parasites, so Lariago Tablet may not protect you. Get destination-specific medical advice and continue mosquito-bite precautions.

Should Lariago Be Taken With Food?

Yes. Taking Lariago Tablet with or after food may reduce nausea, loss of appetite and stomach pain. Follow your prescription, especially if you also take antacids.

Can Long-Term Lariago Use Affect the Eyes?

Yes. Long-term or high-dose chloroquine can damage the retina, and changes may be irreversible. Your doctor may arrange baseline and regular eye examinations. Report blurred vision, colour changes or missing areas in your vision promptly.

Is Lariago Safe During Pregnancy?

Available human evidence has not shown a higher rate of birth defects with recommended malaria doses. Your doctor must still assess the benefits and risks. Do not start or stop Lariago Tablet yourself.

Conclusion

Lariago Tablet can treat chloroquine-sensitive malaria and certain amoebic infections outside the intestine. It may also have a limited specialist role in autoimmune conditions. Safe use requires an accurate diagnosis, the correct dose and a review of resistance patterns, health conditions and drug interactions.

If you have possible malaria symptoms, early testing can guide timely treatment. Metropolis Healthcare offers malaria parasite detection by blood smear and other diagnostic tests through its network of NABL and CAP-accredited laboratories. With more than 4,000 tests, expert pathologists, home sample collection through a strong network of 10,000 touchpoints and convenient booking through the website, app, call or WhatsApp, you can access reliable reports for informed clinical decisions.

References

1. World Health Organization. Malaria. Fact sheet. Updated December 2025.
2. World Health Organization. Malaria Case Management: Plasmodium Vivax Malaria, a Field Guide. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2026.
3. DailyMed. Chloroquine Phosphate Tablets, USP: Full Prescribing Information. Revised July 2026.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Malaria. CDC Yellow Book 2026. Updated April 2025.
5. Fraenkel L, Bathon JM, England BR, et al. 2021 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Care Res. 2021;73(7):924-939. PMID: 34101376.