Methaemoglobinaemia and the radical curative efficacy of 8‐aminoquinoline antimalarials
White NJ., Watson JA., Baird JK.
Methaemoglobin results from the oxidation of ferrous to ferric iron in the centre of the haem moiety of haemoglobin. The production of dose‐dependent methaemoglobinaemia by 8‐aminoquinoline antimalarial drugs appears to be associated with, but is not directly linked to, therapeutic efficacy against latent Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale malarias (radical cure). Iatrogenic methaemoglobinaemia may be a useful pharmacodynamic measure in 8‐aminoquinoline drug and dose optimization.