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Bitaquine 50mg Suspension

Prescription Required
SALT COMPOSITION
Storage
Store below 30°C

Your child’s medicine at a glance

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is an anti-parasitic medicine. It is given to prevent and treat malaria caused by a mosquito bite. Additionally, it may also be used to treat bowel infections in children that are caused by another type of parasite (amoeba).

Give Bitaquine 50mg Suspension to your child by mouth, preferably after meals to prevent an upset stomach. Do not give antacids within 4 hours of taking this medicine as they may interfere with the absorption of the medicine. Bitaquine 50mg Suspension can be slightly bitter. You can mix it with fruit juices to mask the bitterness. If your child vomits soon after taking Bitaquine 50mg Suspension, help the child calm down and repeat the same dose after half an hour. However, skip the dose if it's time for the next dose. Do not double up the dose to catch up for the missed one.

Give it as per the dose, time, and way prescribed by the doctor as that is based on factors such as your child's weight, age, clinical condition, and treatment response. Bitaquine 50mg Suspension may be given in higher doses for the initial one or two days followed by low doses in subsequent days. Strictly follow the dosing schedule prescribed by your child’s doctor as prolonged use of Bitaquine 50mg Suspension can cause serious side effects in your child.

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension may cause side effects such as headache, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, upset stomach, stomach pain, rash, itching, hair loss, or increased sensitivity to light. These are usually temporary. However, if these persist, seek your doctor’s help.

Let the doctor know about your child’s complete medical history including history of any allergies and ongoing medicine regimen. The doctor must be informed about any previous complications related to liver, kidney, brain, heart, muscle weakness, genetic problems, blood cell abnormalities, or ear and eye problems. This information plays a critical role in planning your child’s overall treatment.

Uses of Bitaquine 50mg Suspension in children

Benefits of Bitaquine 50mg Suspension for your child

In Treatment of Amoebiasis

Amoebiasis is an infection caused by a parasite named Entamoeba histolytica. It is often transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms associated with Amoebiasis are not very common. However, in some cases where symptoms do occur, the severity may range from mild diarrhea to blood in stools (dysentery), intestinal inflammation, and pus in the liver (liver abscess). Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is given along with other medicines for the treatment of the above manifestations. Awareness of the quality of food, water, and sanitation conditions can help to prevent an infection.

In Treatment of Malaria

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is used to treat malaria, a serious or life-threatening illness that is spread by a parasite that enters the human body by the bite of infected mosquitoes. It kills the infection causing parasite and stops further spread of the infection. Take it only as prescribed and refrain from taking any other medicines along with this medicine (unless advised by the doctor) as they may affect the absorption of this medicine. Do not use this medicine for treating any other condition without consulting your doctor.

Side effects of Bitaquine 50mg Suspension in children

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension does not pose serious side effects and is well-tolerated by children. In case the side effects do occur, they’re likely to subside once the body adapts to the medicine. Consult your child’s doctor if these side effects persist or bother your child. The most common side effects include-

Common side effects of Bitaquine

  • Upset stomach
  • Photosensitivity
  • Rash
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea

How can I give Bitaquine 50mg Suspension to my child?

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Measure it with a measuring cup and take it by mouth. Shake well before use. Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is to be taken with food.

How Bitaquine Suspension works

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is an antiparasitic medication that is used to treat Malaria and Amoebiasis. It works by increasing the levels of heme and pH in the red blood cells where the parasite resides. It also acts by directly interfering with the genetic material of malarial parasites, thereby killing the parasite and stopping the infection from spreading.

Safety advice

Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is recommended.
However, prolonged use may impact kidney function in your child. The use of this medicine is not recommended in children with severe kidney disease.
Liver
CAUTION
Bitaquine 50mg Suspension should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Bitaquine 50mg Suspension may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

What if I forget to give Bitaquine 50mg Suspension to my child?

Do not panic. Unless your doctor has advised a specific regime for your child, you can give the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it’s almost time for the next dose. Do not give the double dose and follow the prescribed dosing schedule.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
No substitutes found for this medicine

Quick tips

  • When used long-term, your doctor may monitor the amounts of the different types of blood cells in your blood regularly. Inform your doctor if you have unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, or a general feeling of tiredness.
  • Take Bitaquine 50mg Suspension with food to decrease the risk of stomach upset.
  • Bitaquine 50mg Suspension may make your child sensitive to sunlight. Take special care and use protective gear when your child is outdoors.
  • Some self-care measures:
    1. Use of mosquito repellent creams, liquids, coils, mats, etc.
    2. Do not let water accumulate in the house as it may lead to mosquito breeding.  Instead, you can put a small amount of Kerosene oil in the water. This floating oil helps to trap and kill mosquito larvae and dramatically reduce mosquito breeding.
    3. Screen the houses with wire mesh.
    4. Use bed nets at home while sleeping.
    5. Wear clothes that cover the maximum surface area of the body.
    6. Avoid spraying insect repellents on children. Lower their evening and night-time outdoor activity.
  • When used long-term, the doctor may monitor the amounts of the different types of blood cells in your child’s blood regularly. Inform your doctor if you notice unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, fever, or a general feeling of tiredness in your child.
  • Consult your doctor immediately if your child exhibits serious side effects such as rash, swollen glands, problems with body organs like liver, kidney, or heart.
  • Keep Bitaquine 50mg Suspension away from children. Accidental exposure may cause serious events. If a child takes this medicine by accident, get medical help right away.
  • If your child develops a fever while in or after leaving a high-risk area, call the doctor right away.

Fact Box

Chemical Class
4-Aminoquinoline derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
OPHTHAL
Action Class
Antimalarial- Aminoquinolines

Interaction with drugs

Taking Bitaquine with any of the following medicines can modify the effect of either of them and cause some undesirable side effects
Brand(s): Lefsum, Lefunid, Lefumide
Life-threatening
Brand(s): Meflar, Mefly, Meflotag
Life-threatening
Brand(s): Artamin, Atrmin, Penicitin
Life-threatening
Brand(s): Cardisip
Serious

Patient concerns

arrow
Symptoms of amoebiasis like Fl
Dr. Sunil Sekhri
Diabetology
get stool routine tests done
Which medicine use for Malaria? What is eating in Malaria?
Dr. Saurav Arora
Homeopathy
The medicine depends upon symptoms and stage of disease
arrow

User feedback


FAQs

Q. What lab test can be done to identify malaria in my child?

Your child needs to undergo laboratory tests such as complete blood count, blood smear test, or malaria rapid diagnostic test for the diagnosis of malaria.

Q. My child is having a genetic deficiency of the G-6-PD enzyme. Is it safe to give Bitaquine 50mg Suspension?

Children with G-6-PD enzyme deficiency should avoid Bitaquine 50mg Suspension. The deficiency of this enzyme in the body can lead to the breaking of blood cells, resulting in severe anemia. It is advised that you get your child’s enzyme level evaluated before starting the course of treatment.

Q. Can other medicines be given at the same time as Bitaquine 50mg Suspension?

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension may interact with other medicines or substances. Therefore, it would be advised to inform your doctor about any other medicines your child is taking before starting Bitaquine 50mg Suspension.

Q. How should Bitaquine 50mg Suspension be stored?

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension should be stored at room temperature in a dry place, away from direct heat and light. Also, keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children to avoid any mishap.

Q. What is Bitaquine 50mg Suspension and what it is used for?

Bitaquine 50mg Suspension is an anti-malarial medicine that is used for the treatment and prevention of malaria.

Q. How long does it take for malaria symptoms to show?

Symptoms of malaria can develop as quickly as 7 days after you are bitten by an infected mosquito. Usually, the symptoms may take up to 7 to 18 days to appear (incubation periods) from the day of the infection. Initial symptoms of malaria are flu-like which include feeling hot and shivery, fever, muscle pains, vomiting, headaches, and diarrhea.

Q. Is it safe to use Bitaquine 50mg Suspension for a long period of time?

If your doctor has prescribed you Bitaquine 50mg Suspension for a longer period of time, you should get your eyes checked regularly. This is because chloroquine present in this medicine might cause blurred vision, difficulty reading (due to words disappearing), and a rare eye condition called retinopathy if taken for a longer period of time.

Q. Who should not use Bitaquine 50mg Suspension?

Inform your doctor if you have psoriasis before taking Bitaquine 50mg Suspension since it may make your condition worse.

Q. What are the side effects of Bitaquine 50mg Suspension?

Some of the most common side effects of this medicine are stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. These side effects can often be reduced by taking the medicine with food.

Q. Can chloroquine cure coronavirus (COVID-19)?

There is not enough medical data to prove that chloroquine is effective in treating COVID-19. Therefore it is advisable not to take Bitaquine 50mg Suspension without consulting your doctor for treating COVID-19.

Q. Can I take antacids along with Bitaquine 50mg Suspension?

If you take an antacid, give a gap of at least 4 hours between the two medications.

Q. What is the difference between hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine were both first approved for malaria. However, chloroquine tends to cause many more side effects than hydroxychloroquine. As a result, hydroxychloroquine is more commonly used today. Hydroxychloroquine is also approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, while chloroquine is not.

Q. How can you prevent yourself from getting malaria?

Malaria can be prevented by taking certain precautionary steps like covering your arms and legs to prevent mosquito bites, using a mosquito net and insect repellent. Check with your doctor whether you need to take malaria prevention tablets. If you do, make sure you take the right antimalarial tablets at the right dose and finish the proper course of treatment.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

  1. Vinetz JM, Clain J, Bounkeua V, et al. Chemotherapy of Malaria. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1402-405.
  2. Memorial Sloan Kettering: Cancer Center. Chloroquine. [Updated 07 Jun. 2021]. [Accessed 14 Jun. 2021] (online) Available from:External Link
  3. C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Chloroquine. [Accessed 14 Jun. 2021] (online) Available from:External Link
  4. Medline Plus. Chloroquine. [Revised - 15 Oct. 2020]. [Accessed 14 Jun. 2021] (online) Available from:External Link
  5. Drug Bank. Chloroquine. [Accessed 14 Jun. 2021] (online) Available from:External Link

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