Significant reduction in chloroquine bioavailability following coadministration with the Sudanese beverages Aradaib, Karkadi and Lemon.

Chloroquine bioavailability in healthy males was examined following oral coadministration of 600 mg with three common Sudanese beverages, Aradaib (Tamarindus indica), Karkadi (Hibiscus sabdarifa) and Lemon (Citrus limetta) and drinking water. The tablets and beverages were taken on an empty stomach after an overnight fast. The plasma chloroquine concentrations were measured by HPLC. The extent and rate of chloroquine bioavailability were described by the area under the plasma concentrations versus time curve (AUC), the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and with the time to reach Cmax (Tmax), respectively. The mean (+/- S.E.) AUC values after administration with water (control) and Aradaib, Karkadi and Lemon, respectively, were 7.52 +/- 0.87, 2.60 +/- 0.24, 2.16 +/- 0.30 and 2.41 +/- 0.29 mg.h/L. The corresponding mean Cmax values were 553 +/- 17.8, 184 +/- 21.3, 148 +/- 14.1 and 210 +/- 17.4 mg/L and the corresponding Tmax values were 3.0 +/- 1.0, 3.2 +/- 1.2, 2.6 +/- 0.8 and 2.5 +/- 1.0 h. The results indicate a statistically significant reduction in the AUC and Cmax of chloroquine as a result of a coadministration with each of the three beverages. A parallel reduction in the drugs antimalarial efficacy might be expected.