Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology is using Editorial Tracking System to maintain quality and transparency to the author in the peer-review process. Review processing will be performed by the editorial board members of the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology or by Reviewers (outside experts in the field). Two independent reviewer’s approval (Minimum reviewer’s approval) followed by editor approval is obligatory for acceptance of any manuscript excluding an editorial.

Amodiaquine (ADQ) is a medication used to treat malaria, including Plasmodium falciparum malaria when uncomplicated. It is recommended to be given with artesunate to reduce the risk of resistance. Due to the risk of rare but serious side effects, it is not generally recommended to prevent malaria. Amodiaquine has become an important drug in the combination therapy for malaria treatment in Africa. It is often used in combination with artensunate as a by mouth artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Amodiaquine has also been found to work against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum strains of malaria. It is also used in combination with sulfadoxine or pyrimethamine.

Amodiaquine is an orally active 4-aminoquinoline derivative with antimalarial and anti-inflammatory properties. Similar in structure and activity to chloroquine, amodiaquine is effective against some chloroquine-resistant strains, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly malaria parasite. The mechanism of plasmodicidal action of amodiaquine is not completely certain. Like other quinoline derivatives, it is thought to inhibit heme polymerase activity. This results in accumulation of free heme, which is toxic to the parasites. The drug binds the free heme preventing the parasite from converting it to a form less toxic. This drug-heme complex is toxic and disrupts membrane function. Hepatic biotransformation to desethylamodiaquine (the principal biologically active metabolite) is the predominant route of amodiaquine clearance with such a considerable first pass effect that very little orally administered amodiaquine escapes untransformed into the systemic circulation. The dosage of amodiaquine is LD₅₀ (mouse, intraperitoneal) 225 mg/kg, LD₅₀ (mouse, oral) 550 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include headache, drowsiness, visual disturbances, vomiting, hypokalaemia, cardiovascular collapse and cardiac and respiratory arrest.

There have been reports of increased liver toxicity in people with HIV/AIDS on zidovudine or efavirenz when treated with amodiaquine-containing ACT regimens; therefore it is recommended that these people avoid amodiaquine. Children are especially sensitive to 4-aminoquinoline derivatives. Because of the narrow margin between the therapeutic and toxic concentrations in children, amodiaquine should not be administered parenterally in this age group. Amodiaquine is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive /to 4-aminoquinoline derivatives.

The side effects of amodiaquine includes nausea, vomiting, loss of vision, itching, muscle pain, gastritis, headache, skin rash, greying of hair and loss of hearing. Because amodiaquine may concentrate in the liver, the drug should be used with caution in patients with hepatic disease or alcoholism, and in patients receiving hepatotoxic drugs. Electrocardiography (ECG) may show inverted or flattened T waves, widening of QRS, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation. Hypokalaemia may be present. High serum amodiaquine levels confirm the diagnosis. Routes of entry of the drug include Oral: This is the usual route of administration for therapeutic use, Inhalation, Dermal, Eye, and Parenteral: Amodiaquine has been given by both constant rate intravenous injection and constant rate infusion in volunteers and patients. Because of the narrow margin between the therapeutic and toxic concentrations in children, amodiaquine should not be administered parenterally in this age group. Because the 4-aminoquinoline derivatives are rapidly and completely absorbed from the gastro intestinal tract, symptoms of acute toxicity may occur within 30 minutes following ingestion of the drug.

On the occasion of its 3 years, Successful Journey, Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology decided to provide a partial waiver on its article processing charges to promote quality research from across the nations of the globe to encourage the latest research in the field of Infections, Diseases and Medicine. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology also planning to release a special issue on its new approaches.

Regards

Mary Wilson

Editorial office

Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

E-mail: pharmatoxicol@eclinicalsci.com