Hemodialysis and chloroquine poisoning.

The use of hemodialysis in the treatment of chloroquine intoxication was investigated. The in vitro and in vivo clearances of chloroquine were adequate (in vitro 53.4 ml. per minute, in vivo 57 ml. per minute). However, dialysis did not reduce the mortality in dogs. Eight milligrams per kilogram were uniformly fatal with or without dialysis whereas 5 mg. per kilogram were not fatal in any dog. Less than 5 per cent of administered chloroquine was removed during 6 hours of dialysis. Red cell chloroquine averaged 4 times serum values. Hemodialysis is ineffective in the treatment of chloroquine intoxication probably because chloroquine rapidly becomes intracellular after administration.