Acute life-threatening methaemoglobinaemia following ingestion of chloroquine

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Mar 20:2012:bcr1220115383. doi: 10.1136/bcr.12.2011.5383.

Abstract

A 25 year old man was rushed to the emergency department when he was found unconscious in his room after taking two chloroquine tablets (600 mg base) for fever prescribed by local practitioner. On examination, the patient was unconscious and deep cyanosis was present on lips, tongue, oral cavity, nail beds and finger tips. Subsequent laboratory investigation revealed methaemoglobin level of 54%. Diagnosis of chloroquine-induced methaemoglobinaemia was made and methylene blue (1 mg/kg) was administered. The patient improved dramatically and was discharged following day.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Antimalarials / adverse effects*
  • Chloroquine / adverse effects*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Fever / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methemoglobinemia / chemically induced*
  • Methemoglobinemia / diagnosis*
  • Methylene Blue / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Chloroquine
  • Methylene Blue