Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of hydroxychloroquine in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Abstract
Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dosage required to reach circulating levels that inhibit SARS-Cov-2 are extrapolated from pharmacokinetic data in non-COVID-19 patients.
Methods: We performed a population-pharmacokinetic analysis from 104 consecutive COVID-19 hospitalized patients (31 in intensive care units, 73 in medical wards, n = 149 samples). Plasma HCQ concentration were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection. Modelling used Monolix-2019R2.
Results.- HCQ doses ranged from 200 to 800 mg/day administered for 1 to 11 days and median HCQ plasma concentration was 151 ng/mL. Among the tested covariates, only bodyweight influenced elimination oral clearance (CL) and apparent volume of distribution (Vd). CL/F (F for unknown bioavailability) and Vd/F (relative standard-error, %) estimates were 45.9L/h (21.2) and 6690L (16.1). The derived elimination half-life (t1/2) was 102 h. These parameters in COVID-19 differed from those reported in patients with lupus, where CL/F, Vd/F and t1/2 are reported to be 68 L/h, 2440 L and 19.5 h, respectively. Within 72h of HCQ initiation, only 16/104 (15.4%) COVID-19 patients had HCQ plasma levels above the in-vitro half maximal effective concentration of HCQ against SARS-CoV-2 (240 ng/mL). HCQ did not influence inflammation status (assessed by C-reactive protein) or SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance (assessed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR nasopharyngeal swabs).
Conclusion: The inter-individual variability of HCQ pharmacokinetic parameters in severe COVID-19 patients was important and differed from that previously reported in non-COVID-19 patients. Loading doses of 1600 mg HCQ followed by 600 mg daily doses are needed to reach concentrations relevant to SARS-CoV-2 inhibition within 72 hours in ≥60% (95% confidence-interval: 49.5-69.0%) of COVID-19 patients.
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