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1. The interindividual differences in serum concentrations of dextromethorphan (DM) and its metabolites were studied in 29 healthy subjects given 120 mg orally. They were also phenotyped according to the urinary ratio of debrisoquine and 4-hydroxy-debrisoquine. 2. Four (14%) subjects were found to be poor metabolizers (PM) with a dextromethorphan/dextrorphan metabolite ratio in plasma of 3.6 or more compared with extensive metabolizers (EM) with a ratio of 0.11 or less. Significant levels of 3-hydroxymorphinan were measurable in all individuals except two, both of whom were PMs. This subdivision corresponded to the phenotype determined by the metabolic ratio of debrisoquine (r = 0.92). 3. Twelve of the 29 subjects reported adverse drug reactions after dextromethorphan administration compared with none after placebo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary excretion of chloroquine and its desethyl-metabolite was monitored for up to 395 days after the last dose of oral chloroquine (300 mg base) taken once weekly for 10 weeks as malaria prophylaxis. Concentrations in plasma could be followed for up to 70 days after the last dose. A three exponential decay was applied to the urinary excretion data. The half-life of the terminal phase varied from 45 to 55 days for chloroquine and from 59 to 67 days for the metabolite. Mean residence time was approximately 20 days for the parent compound and 35 days for the metabolite, indicating that the terminal phases are of less importance for the effective half-lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacokinetics of chloroquine were studied after intramuscular and intravenous administration of the drug to healthy African adults. Chloroquine was analysed in plasma using an h.p.l.c. method and pharmacokinetic parameters were derived from the concentration-time data using a non-linear computer programme. A two-compartment open model was assumed. Chloroquine was rapidly absorbed from an intramuscular site, producing a plasma concentration-time profile similar to that obtained after a 15 min i.v. infusion of a comparable dose. The pharmacokinetics of chloroquine after i.m. and i.v. administration were characterised by a long half-life and a very large volume of distribution. There was no significant difference between the values of each parameter obtained from the different routes. It is suggested that the high Cmax obtained after i.m. and i.v. administration of chloroquine might contribute to its toxicity when these routes are used in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 Chloroquine was given in 300 mg single doses as an i.v. infusion, an oral solution and as tablets at intervals of at least 56 days to 11 healthy volunteers. Concentrations of chloroquine and its metabolite desethylchloroquine were measured in plasma, erythrocytes and urine using h.p.l.c. 2 Chloroquine was detectable in all plasma samples up to 23 days and occasionally up to 52 days after dosage. Urinary concentrations were monitored up to 119 days. The disposition pattern was multiexponential reflecting extensive tissue binding of the drug. 3 After i.v. dosing the volume of distribution ranged from 116 to 285 l/kg and the apparent terminal half-life from 146 to 333 h. Total plasma clearance +/- s.d. was 712 +/- 166 ml/min and renal clearance 412 +/- 139 ml/min. The mean estimated urinary recovery of chloroquine was 47%, 42% and 46% after i.v., oral solution and tablets indicating nearly complete bioavailability. The corresponding figures for the metabolite were 7%, 10% and 12%. 4 The disposition of chloroquine in erythrocytes was parallel to that in plasma. The concentrations in erythrocytes were consistently 2 to 5 times higher than in plasma. 5 Subjective side effects like difficulties with swallowing and accommodation, diplopia and fatigue occurred during intravenous infusion and were closely related to plasma concentrations. No effect was seen on the electrocardiogram, mean arterial blood pressure and pulse rate. No adverse reactions were observed after the oral doses. High frequency audiometry did not reveal any significant hearing impairment for the group as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1 The antihypertensive effect of prazosin has been studied in three groups of hypertensive patients. 2 The drug caused a significant reduction of blood pressure both as monotherapy and combined with alprenolol. 3 The effect of prazosin on blood pressure was more marked at the first dose and especially in combination with alprenolol. 4 No pharmacokinetic interaction between prazosin and alprenolol was observed. 5 Prazosin exhibits an exaggerated first dose effect together with alprenolol. Smaller starting doses of prazosin in combination therapy with beta-adrenoceptor blockers are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protein binding of racemic chloroquine, its enantiomers and desethylchloroquine to plasma, purified human albumin, and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (alpha 1-AGP) was determined by equilibrium dialysis. The binding was not concentration dependent. (+)-Chloroquine bound more to plasma (66.6 +/- 1.9%) and albumin (45.9 +/- 0.8%) than (-)-chloroquine (48.5 +/- 2.4% and 35.3 +/- 0.6%, respectively). These differences were statistically significant. (-)-Chloroquine bound more to alpha 1-AGP (47.5 +/- 0.7%) than (+)-chloroquine (34.5 +/- 0.5%). The binding of desethylchloroquine to alpha 1-AGP is higher than to albumin (38.9 +/- 0.9% and 21.1 +/- 0.4%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]