A STUDY OF THE PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY OF VISION IN THE SOLDIER. 1. CHLOROQUINE AND HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE.
Abstract
A critical evaluation of reports on the toxic effects of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine on vision has revealed a relationship between the dosage and the hazards of these drugs for man. Chronic high doses, with a total dosage of 500 g or more administered over a period of months or years, may lead to ocular toxicity of a serious nature in some individuals. Relatively low total dosage of 100 g or less rarely results in visual pathology. The rish presented by intermediate dosage may be minimized by monitoring visual function at periodic intervals employing adequate tests to determine incipient injury. The detection of premaculopathy will permit the early cessation of drug therapy and reversal of pathologic changes in most patients. Prolonged antimalarial chemoprophylaxis with chloroquine in the recommended doses for the military over a period of two years includes a total dose of approximately 60 g. Research investigations on the biochemical transformation of melanin, and chloroquine binding to melanin in various tissues, revealed a possible explanation of the retinal toxicity of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. This phenomenon merits future study because reactions of this character appear to be closely associated with the oculocutaneous hyperpigmentation induced by a number of drugs. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0691142
Entities
Organizations
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology