Amodiaquine-induced fulminant hepatitis

Three patients suffered from fulminant hepatitis within 23, 59 and 22 weeks after having ingested a total dose of 16, 26 and 15 g, respectively, of amodiaquine for the prophylaxis of malaria. Amodiaquine administration was continued for 44, 21 and 25 days after the onset of jaundice, respectively. One patient underwent emergency orthotopic liver transplantation and survived. The other two died. Fulminant hepatitis threatens patients in whom amodiaquine administration is protracted for several months and not interrupted when jaundice occurs.