Open AccessA single dose of in situ gel formulation of antimalarial drug chloroquine phosphate as a sustained prophylactic candidate for COVID-19
Author(s) -
Noha Zelai
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.325
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 2231-4040
pISSN - 0976-2094
DOI - 10.4103/japtr.japtr_89_20
Subject(s) - chloroquine , pharmacokinetics , drug , pharmacology , medicine , covid-19 , malaria , disease , immunology , infectious disease (medical specialty)
In the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, a prophylactic drug is strongly needed to stop the spread of this disease. Chloroquine (CQ) has been proposed as a prophylactic for individuals who are likely to be exposed to the virus. This study aimed to study the ability of CQ to act as a prophylactic treatment for susceptible people. The pharmacokinetic profiles of in situ gel and free CQ phosphate were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The effects of both formulations were examined on both liver and kidney functions. CQ levels were sustained in the plasma of both free and in situ gel-treated groups. Thus, our study shows that the in situ gel of CQ provides sustained release of CQ that is given only as a single dose. However, it should be used cautiously in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction.