Epidemiology of chloroquine-associated pruritus in Saradidi, Kenya

The association of pruritus and ingestion of chloroquine phosphate in Saradidi, Kenya, was determined by randomly giving 437 children (less than 18 years) and 182 adults either 10 mg base kg-1 of regular chloroquine, 10 mg base kg-1 of enteric-coated chloroquine, 10 mg base kg-1 of amodiaquine, or one 300 mg tablet of enteric-coated ferrous sulphate. Before treatment, a blood smear was taken. Paired urine samples were tested for 4-aminoquinolines to exclude prior drug ingestion, to document drug absorption, and to exclude chloroquine or amodiaquine intake in persons who received iron. The following day, the incidence of itching was ascertained. More adults (20.3%) reported itching than did children (12.8%) (P less than 0.05); no significant difference between males and females was noted. A history of itching 24 hours after treatment was not significantly more common in persons with malaria parasitaemia. Pruritus was more frequent in those receiving regular chloroquine (21.5% of 186) and enteric-coated chloroquine (17.8% of 118) than after amodiaquine (11.6% of 173) or iron (8.5% of 142) (P less than 0.005). Amodiaquine which is a 4-aminoquinoline like chloroquine did not appear to cause significant pruritus in this population. These results demonstrate that chloroquine-associated pruritus is experienced frequently in Saradidi. This side effect of malaria treatment could influence usage of chloroquine phosphate provided by village health workers.