Dr. K. M. Bhatt MBBS, PG Dip , Cardiology, Pediatrics, General Surgery, General Physician, Emergency Medicine, Physical Medicine

Yes, Malarbin may cause anemia as well as thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) but it occurs in a few cases only. It is a rare side effect of this drug. If you are experiencing tiredness or shortness of breath or bleeding then discuss with your doctor without further delay.

Dr. Braj Bhushan Ojha BAMS , Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Ayurveda, Sexology, Diabetology

Yes, Malarbin causes a headache but it occurs in a few cases only. It is a rare side effect of this drug. If you experience a severe headache after taking this drug, take a mild painkiller, apply balms and take rest. Even after that if the pain does not subside then discuss it with your doctor.

Dr. Abhijit MBBS , General Physician

Malarbin contains chloroquine. It has antimalarial, amebicidal, and immunosuppressant activity. It is presumed that Malarbin works by increasing pH in the acid vesicles of parasite which interferes in the parasite's ability to break down and digest hemoglobin. Malarial parasites need hemoglobin for growth and survival. This results in starvation and death of parasites. Malarbin works in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by suppressing the immune system which provides relief to the patient from pain and inflammation. However, the exact mechanism how it works in these autoimmune diseases is still unknown.

Dr. Roshni Poonja MBBS , General Physician, Internal Medicine

Rarely, Malarbin causes hair loss (alopecia). This problem goes away after discontinuation of this drug. For partial hair loss, you are advised to use hair tonic and discuss with the doctor for best possible treatment to hair loss.

Dr. Chinmaya Bal MBBS , General Physician

Malarbin is a brand name of chloroquine and it comes in the form of a tablet, capsule, injection, and oral suspension. It belongs to the class of drugs known as antimalarials which have amebicidal activity. It is a prescription drug that is used in the treatment of malaria which is a vector-borne infectious disease caused by parasites Plasmodium species. These are Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium vivax. Apart from this Malarbin is also used in the treatment of extraintestinal amebiasis which is the protozoal infection caused by parasite Entamoeba histolytica. It is also used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) both are autoimmune diseases which causes inflammation and pain. Malarbin is also used off-label for the treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) a blood disorder that affects the skin.