Effect of chloroquine and primaquine on antipyrine metabolism.

The effects of two antimalarial drugs, chloroquine and primaquine on antipyrine kinetics and metabolism have been studied in volunteers. Chloroquine (250 mg) given 2 h before antipyrine (600 mg orally) had no effect on salivary kinetics of antipyrine or on the urinary recovery of metabolites. Primaquine (45 mg) given 2 h before antipyrine (300 mg orally), increased antipyrine half-life (calculated from 0-24 h) from 12.7 +/- 3.2 (mean +/- s.d.) to 25.3 +/- 3.9 h and decreased clearance from 3.01 +/- 0.67 to 1.32 +/- 0.32 1 h-1. There was no change in the apparent volume of distribution. Antipyrine half life changed with time in the presence of primaquine and when calculated between 24 and 48 h had returned to control. After primaquine, the metabolic clearance (calculated from 0-24 h) of antipyrine to its three main metabolites, 3-hydroxymethylantipyrine, 4-hydroxyantipyrine and norantipyrine was significantly reduced. There was no selective effect on a particular metabolic pathway. There was no change in 6 beta-hydroxycortisol excretion (expressed as a ratio of total 17-hydroxy-corticosteroids) in the period 0-48 h following primaquine administration. The inhibition of hepatic metabolism by primaquine but not the structurally related chloroquine may be an example of a structure activity phenomenon and could be of clinical significance.