Abstract
Summary
Two metabolites of pamaquine have been demonstrated in the plasma and urine of humans and dogs receiving pamaquine. One of these is an unstable compound which can, in vitro, convert hemoglobin to methemoglobin and lyse erythrocytes. The other is a stable compound which is highly fluorescent. Neither of these substances has been isolated in crystalline form.
It is possible that the substance with the oxidant and lytic properties is responsible for the toxic actions of the parent drug. The answer as to whether it also accounts for its therapeutic effect awaits definition of its antimalarial activity.
A homologue of pamaquine which differs only in its substitution on the side chain, yields metabolic products with properties similar to those obtained with pamaquine.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.