Amodiaquine

This is similar to chloroquine. Amodiaquine is converted to an active metabolite (desethyl-amodiaquine). 200 mg of amodiaquine base is equivalent to 260 mg amodiaquine hydrochloride. The product has no taste (unlike chloroquine which is bitter). Long-term use causes grey skin pigmentation in white people. Sometimes there are severe side effects (agranulocytosis in approximately 1/2000, liver toxicity in approximately 1/15,000). Amodiaquine (Camoquine®, Flavoquine®, Malarid®) are therefore still only used rarely. There is less resistance to amodiaquine than to chloroquine. Since the product is eliminated slowly, a single dose of 600 mg was (and is) sufficient. Amopyroquine (Propoquine®) is an amodiaquine analogue, but is little used and then only IM. Its safety during pregnancy is uncertain.

Category: Medicine Notes