Low-dose oral chloroquine in the treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda.
Seven patients with porphyria cutanea tarda received a total of ten courses of low-dose oral chloroquine therapy (125 mg chloroquine phosphate twice weekly). Patients were treated for a mean 14.9 months during which time all went into clinical and biochemical remission. Relapse occurred in four patients on a total of six occasions after a mean 17 months. In four patients there was no relapse after a mean 47.3 months. There were no adverse side-effects from the treatment. Low-dose oral chloroquine therapy appears to be a safe, effective and convenient treatment for porphyria cutanea tarda, although relapses may occur requiring further therapy.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002738:Chloroquine