Amodiaquine-induced hepatitis. A report of seven cases.

Seven patients developed hepatitis after receiving amodiaquine for malaria prophylaxis for 4 to 15 weeks. Four patients had a minor form of hepatitis: jaundice was mild or absent, serum aminotransferase levels were moderately increased, and recovery was prompt. Three patients had a severe form: jaundice was intense, serum aminotransferase levels were markedly increased, jaundice persisted for 3 to 6 months, and liver tests were still abnormal 7 to 27 months after the onset of hepatitis. In two patients, serum aminotransferase levels increased promptly after readministration of the drug, which is consistent with an immunoallergic mechanism for amodiaquine-induced hepatitis.