The effect of chloroquine on plasma albumin, bilirubin, amylase, alkaline phosphatase and blood urea in man

Five healthy male volunteers participated in this study, after informed consent, to determine the effect of chloroquine administration on plasma albumin, bilirubin, amylase, alkaline phosphatase and blood urea. Each subject took 600 mg of chloroquine base (i.e. four tablets containing a 150-mg base per tablet) and blood samples were obtained over a 7-day period. The plasma samples were assayed for albumin, bilirubin, amylase, alkaline phosphatase and blood urea. Results indicate that at the dose used chloroquine administration does not produce any significant change in the plasma levels of albumin and bilirubin. However, serum amylase and urea were decreased while alkaline phosphatase was increased by the chloroquine treatment. These changes are of no clinical significance as the new values are within the normal ranges.