Chloroquine serum concentration and side effects: evidence for dose-dependent kinetics.
Serum concentrations of chloroquine were determined fluorometrically in 100 rheumatoid patients who had been treated with 0.25 gm daily for at least 2 mo. The total dose varied between 3.7 and 400 gm. No patient received more than 75 gm annually. In 15% of the patients side effects were noted. There was a relationship between serum concentrations and side effects but not with the total dose administered. Chloroquine displayed dose-dependent kinetics, which may indicate that close monitoring of serum concentrations is an aid to the safe and rational use of the drug.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy
D002738:Chloroquine