Naphthoquine
Pronunciation: (naf-THO-kwin).
- Generic name
- Naphthoquine
- Brand names
- No registered UK brands, Malariquin, No registered Canadian brands, No registered NZ brands, Naphtoquin, No registered US brands
- Drug class
- Antimalarial agent
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country:
Australia: · Full directory
What Naphthoquine is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Naphthoquine works
Naphthoquine is a synthetic 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial. It acts by interfering with the parasite's heme detoxification pathway within the food vacuole of Plasmodium species. This leads to accumulation of toxic heme and parasite death. When combined with artemisinin derivatives, it provides a synergistic effect, rapidly reducing parasite load and minimizing resistance development. (1) (3)
What Naphthoquine is used for
Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria
Treatment of uncomplicated vivax malaria
Before taking Naphthoquine
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to naphthoquine or related compounds. (Contraindication) (3)
Tell your clinician about
(3) (2)How to take Naphthoquine
- General Instructions: Take naphthoquine exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip doses or stop early, even if you feel better.. Adult Dosing: Typical adult dose (when used in combination with artemisinin): 400 mg naphthoquine as a single dose or as directed by your doctor. Dosing may vary based on local guidelines and combination products.. Pediatric Dosing: Children's dosing is based on body weight. Consult a pediatrician or refer to local malaria treatment guidelines.. Administration: Take the tablet with a full glass of water, with or without food. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking a dose, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist promptly for advice, as they may direct you to take a replacement dose.. When To Stop: Complete the full course as prescribed. Stop only if advised by your healthcare provider — contact them promptly to discuss whether to continue if you experience side effects or adverse reactions.. Storage: Store at room temperature (below 25°C), away from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (3) (2)
Missed dose
Because naphthoquine (as part of the ARCO artemisinin-naphthoquine combination) is normally given as a short, complete treatment course rather than an ongoing daily medicine, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist promptly if you miss a scheduled dose — they will advise on the correct timing for your remaining dose(s) based on how much time has passed. Do not take an extra dose on your own to make up for a missed one.
Overdose
In case of overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, or cardiac symptoms. Supportive care and monitoring are essential. (3) (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Nausea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Vomiting
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Abdominal pain
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Dizziness
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Headache
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Diarrhea
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
QT prolongation
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serious warnings
Not recommended for use in severe malaria or as malaria prophylaxis — serious
Symptoms: Not recommended for use in severe malaria or as malaria prophylaxis. Use with caution in patients with liver or kidney impairment. May cause dizziness—use caution with activities requiring alertness. Report any signs of allergic reaction or severe skin rash immediately. Consult your doctor before use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (3) (2)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to naphthoquine or related compounds. Use with caution in patients with hepatic or renal impairment, as drug accumulation may occur. Not recommended in severe malaria, pregnancy (unless benefits outweigh risks), or in patients with a history of QT prolongation or cardiac arrhythmias.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (3) (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Naphthoquine may interact with other antimalarial drugs, medications affecting liver enzymes (such as some antibiotics or antifungals), and drugs that prolong the QT interval. Always inform your healthcare provider of all medicines and supplements you are taking. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
A published clinical review of the artemisinin-naphthoquine combination (ARCO) specifically identifies pregnancy safety, especially in the first trimester, as an unresolved research gap in the literature and calls for further study before safety limits can be established. No dedicated pregnancy safety data for naphthoquine were found in the sources reviewed for this page. Use in pregnancy is a decision for the treating clinician, weighing the risk of untreated malaria against the unknown fetal risk. (3) (2)
Breastfeeding
No published information on use of naphthoquine while breastfeeding, or on whether it passes into human breast milk, was found in the clinical literature reviewed for this page — this is a genuine gap in the available evidence. Discuss breastfeeding with the clinician managing your malaria treatment. (3) (2)
Children
There is no universally approved pediatric label dose for naphthoquine, but published pharmacokinetic trials of the artemisinin-naphthoquine (ARCO) combination have used weight-banded pediatric dosing — doses in the range of roughly 6-9.5 mg/kg naphthoquine (with 15-24 mg/kg artemisinin) given as tablets according to the manufacturer's pediatric recommendations. This reflects clinical-trial dosing, not a fixed, universally established regimen — pediatric use should be determined by a pediatrician or specialist following local malaria treatment guidelines, not calculated by a parent or caregiver. (3) (2)
Renal Impairment
No formal renal-impairment dosing guidance for naphthoquine has been published. For hepatic impairment, the principal published overview of artemisinin-naphthoquine combination therapy notes the naphthoquine component may have some effect on liver-function blood tests, but reviewed clinical trials found no major liver dysfunction and most liver-related test results returned to normal after treatment; no specific dose adjustment for liver disease is defined in the literature. This is a genuine evidence gap rather than reassurance that dose adjustment is unnecessary — the clinician-authored record's caution to use with care in hepatic or renal impairment, because of possible drug accumulation, still applies, and kidney and liver function should be assessed by the prescriber. (3) (2)
Hepatic Impairment
No formal renal-impairment dosing guidance for naphthoquine has been published. For hepatic impairment, the principal published overview of artemisinin-naphthoquine combination therapy notes the naphthoquine component may have some effect on liver-function blood tests, but reviewed clinical trials found no major liver dysfunction and most liver-related test results returned to normal after treatment; no specific dose adjustment for liver disease is defined in the literature. This is a genuine evidence gap rather than reassurance that dose adjustment is unnecessary — the clinician-authored record's caution to use with care in hepatic or renal impairment, because of possible drug accumulation, still applies, and kidney and liver function should be assessed by the prescriber. (3) (2)
Monitoring
(3) (2)Storage
Specific manufacturer storage instructions for naphthoquine or the artemisinin-naphthoquine combination (ARCO) tablets were not found in the published English-language literature reviewed for this page — the product's package insert is issued by Kunming Pharmaceutical Corporation (China) and was not accessible as a primary source. As a general precaution consistent with other oral antimalarial tablets, store at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture, and out of reach of children, but confirm the specific storage instructions on the product packaging or pharmacy label you receive.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria
Dose summary: Naphthoquine is not FDA-approved and has no US, UK, EU, or Canadian regulatory label; the only marketed fixed-dose product is the artemisinin-naphthoquine combination tablet (ARCO(R), Kunming Pharmaceutical Corporation, China), each tablet containing 50 mg naphthoquine base (as 78.3 mg naphthoquine phosphate) with 125 mg artemisinin. Published clinical-trial dosing for adults (>16 years) with uncomplicated malaria is a single oral dose of 8 tablets (total 400 mg naphthoquine / 1,000 mg artemisinin); pediatric dosing in trials has been weight-banded. This reflects published clinical literature, not an approved product label.
Renal context: No renal-impairment dose-adjustment guidance for naphthoquine has been published in the clinical literature reviewed for this page (including the principal ARCO(R) combination-therapy review and population-pharmacokinetics studies) — this is a genuine gap in the available evidence, not an oversight. The clinician-authored record's general caution to use with care in renal impairment, because of possible drug accumulation, still applies; renal function should be assessed by the prescriber. (1) (3)
Frequently asked questions
What is naphthoquine used for?
Naphthoquine is used to treat uncomplicated malaria, especially infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. It is often combined with artemisinin for increased effectiveness.
Can I use naphthoquine to prevent malaria?
No, naphthoquine is not recommended for malaria prevention (prophylaxis). It is only used for treatment of active malaria infections.
Is naphthoquine safe during pregnancy?
The safety of naphthoquine in pregnancy is not well established. Use only if clearly needed and prescribed by your doctor. Discuss risks and benefits with your healthcare provider.
What should I do if I vomit after taking naphthoquine?
Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist promptly if you vomit within 1 hour of taking naphthoquine — they may direct you to take a replacement dose. If vomiting persists, seek medical advice for further instructions.
Are there any foods or drinks I should avoid?
Avoid alcohol while taking naphthoquine, as it may increase the risk of liver side effects. There are no specific food restrictions, but take the medication with water.
Can children take naphthoquine?
Yes, naphthoquine can be used in children, but dosing is based on body weight and should be determined by a healthcare provider.
What are the signs of a serious reaction to naphthoquine?
Serious reactions include severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), jaundice, severe skin rash, confusion, or irregular heartbeat. Seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
What happens if I take too much Naphthoquine?
Taking too much Naphthoquine can lead to serious adverse effects. Symptoms of an overdose may include severe gastrointestinal upset, neurological disturbances, or cardiac issues. If you suspect an overdose, it is crucial to seek immediate emergency medical attention. Do not attempt to self-treat or wait for symptoms to worsen.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Naphthoquine?
It is generally advisable to avoid or limit alcohol consumption while taking antimalarial agents like Naphthoquine. Alcohol can potentially exacerbate certain side effects of the medication, such as gastrointestinal upset or liver strain. Discuss your alcohol intake with your healthcare provider to understand the specific risks and recommendations for your situation.
What is the mechanism of action of Naphthoquine?
Naphthoquine is a synthetic 4-aminoquinoline antimalarial. It acts by interfering with the parasite's heme detoxification pathway within the food vacuole of Plasmodium species. This leads to accumulation of toxic heme and parasite death. When combined with artemisinin derivatives, it provides a synergistic effect, rapidly reducing parasite load and minimizing resistance development. (1) (3)
What is the generic name of Naphthoquine?
The generic name is Naphthoquine. It is sold under brand names including No registered UK brands, Malariquin, No registered Canadian brands, No registered NZ brands, Naphtoquin, No registered US brands.
What class of drug is Naphthoquine?
Naphthoquine is classed as: Antimalarial agent.
References
- Clinician-authored medicine record for Naphthoquine (MedGuideGlobal medicines database)MedGuideGlobal clinician-authored medicines database (internal) · International · dated 2026 · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- Artemisinin-Naphthoquine Combination Therapy for Uncomplicated Pediatric Malaria: A Pharmacokinetic StudyPubMed Central (National Library of Medicine) · International · dated 2012 · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 2
- Artemisinin-Naphthoquine Combination (ARCO): An Overview of the ProgressPubMed Central (National Library of Medicine) · International · dated 2014 · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 3
- Naphthoquine — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 1721293)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Naphthoquine names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.