A review on the pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity
considerations for chloroquine and hydroxychloroqu
Fatemeh Askarian
Zahra Firoozi، Alireza Ebadollahi‑Natanzi، Solmaz Bahrami، Hamid‑Reza Rahimi
The SARS-CoV-2 virus, caused a novel emerged coronavirus disease, is growing rapidly worldwide. Few studies have evaluated the efcacy and safety of Chloroquine (CQ), an old antimalarial drug, and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of COVID-19 infection. HCQ is derived from CQ by adding a hydroxyl group into it and is a less toxic derivative of CQ for the treatment of COVID-19 infection because it is more soluble. This article summarizes pharmacokinetic properties and toxicity considerations for CQ and HCQ, drug interactions, and their potential efcacy against COVID-19. The authors also look at the biochemistry changes and clinical uses of CQ and HCQ, and supportive treatments following toxicity occurs. It was believed that CQ and HCQ may provide few benefts to COVID-19 patients. A number of factors should be considered to keep the drug safe, such as dose, in vivo animal toxicological fndings, and gathering of metabolites in plasma and/or tissues. The main conclusion of this review is that CQ and HCQ with considered to their ADMET properties has major shortcomings and fully irresponsible.