Iodochlorhydroxyquin Vioform

Certain halogen derivatives of 8-hydroxyquinoline have a record of therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of cutaneous fungus infections and also of amebic dysentery. Among these are 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinolinol [130-26-7] (iodochlorhydroxyquin, Vioform), 5,7-diiodo-8-hydroxyquinoline [83-73-8] (diiodohydroxyquin), and sodium 7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate [885-04-1] (chiniofon) (196—198). 

Bismuth iodosubgallate was followed by the introduction of iodochlorhydroxyquin (Vioform ). Unfortunately this latter compound has been linked with the occurrence of subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON syndrome) in Japan. The decisive progress came with the iodine-free chlorquinaldol (Sterosan ). 

Halogenated 8-hydroxyquinolines such as 5,7-diiodo-8-hydroxyquinoline (Diiodo-hydroxyquin, Fig. 7-9) and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline (Vioform) are useful as oral amebicides. Only the former is available in the United States for this purpose. (Iodochlorhydroxyquin is available in topical formulation for its dubious antifungal action.) The mechanism of action of these quinolines has not been established. 

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