Home Drug Guide Amodiaquine Hydrochloride

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Amodiaquine Hydrochloride

Brand Names Camoquin Hydrochloride

Classification

Therapeutic: Antimalarial agent

Pharmacological: Aminoquinoline

FDA Approved Indications

  • Prophylaxis and treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax

Mechanism of Action

Amodiaquine interferes with the parasite's DNA and mitochondrial function, inhibiting the parasite's ability to replicate and survive within red blood cells.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 25 mg base once daily for prophylaxis; treatment doses vary based on severity and species of malaria.

Pediatric: Dosing based on weight; consult specific guidelines.

Geriatric: Use with caution; adjust dose based on renal and hepatic function.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose carefully; monitor closely.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; hepatic function should be monitored.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed oral administration.

Distribution: Wide distribution, including into tissues and liver.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver via CYP enzymes.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in bile and feces.

Half Life: Approximately 4-5 days, allowing once-weekly dosing for prophylaxis.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to amodiaquine or related compounds.
  • History of adverse reactions to quinoline antimalarials.

Precautions

  • Monitor for hematological reactions, especially with prolonged use.
  • Use cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment or G6PD deficiency.
  • Pregnancy category C; use only if clearly needed.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort (Uncommon)
  • Headache (Uncommon)
  • Dizziness (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hematological reactions (agranulocytosis, neutropenia, aplastic anemia) (Rare)
  • Hepatotoxicity (Rare)
  • Severe skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Mefloquine (may increase risk of neuropsychiatric adverse effects)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • None well-documented

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Use caution with herbal products that affect liver enzymes.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for allergic reactions, hematologic parameters, hepatic function.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for anemia or hematologic disturbances.
  • Risk for hepatic injury.

Implementation: Administer with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset. Monitor blood counts and liver function during treatment.

Evaluation: Assess for effectiveness in malaria symptoms; monitor for adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Report any signs of allergic reactions, unusual bleeding, or jaundice.
  • Avoid alcohol and hepatotoxic drugs.
  • Attend scheduled blood tests for monitoring.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential for agranulocytosis and hepatotoxicity with long-term use.

Genetic Factors: G6PD deficiency may predispose to hemolytic anemia.

Lab Test Interference: May cause false-positive results for certain assays.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, hematological abnormalities.

Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antidote. Hematologic and hepatic function should be monitored. Activated charcoal may be considered if ingestion was recent.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

Stability: Stable under normal conditions for shelf life as per manufacturer.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.