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Mini Episode: Managing Crashing Hydroxychloroquine/Chloroquine OD
Bonus Episode16th December 2020 • The Poison Lab • Clinical Toxicology LLC
00:00:00 00:14:50

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Quick Review: Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine Toxicity

Toxic Dose

  • Chloroquine: >5 g is associated with severe toxicity (though toxicity can occur at lower doses).
  • Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ): Toxic dose is less well-defined.

Clinical Effects

  • Seizures: Due to sodium channel blockade.
  • Arrhythmias: Resulting from sodium channel blockade.
  • Hypotension: Caused by alpha-adrenergic blockade.
  • Hypokalemia: Often a notable feature.

Management

  1. Decontamination:
  • Administer activated charcoal if the patient is awake, alert, and has no risk of emesis.
  1. Supportive Care:
  • High-dose epinephrine:
  • Recommended dose: 0.25 mcg/kg/min.
  • Based on retrospective case-control series: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM198801073180101
  • Diazepam:
  • Administer 1–2 mg/kg over 30 minutes, followed by 1–2 mg/kg over 24 hours.
  • Prevents seizures and may provide cardioprotective effects.
  1. Airway Management:
  • Consider early intubation to secure the airway in deteriorating cases.
  1. Expert Consultation:
  • Contact a poison center for guidance: 1-800-222-1222.

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