Fatal Aplastic Anemia Following Quinacrine Therapy in Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

The use of quinacrine (Atabrine) has declined considerably since the introduction of newer antimalarials. However, recent new indications for the drug have revived its use. Page reported on the treatment in 18 cases of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus with quinacrine with striking results. Only one patient failed to improve considerably, and in a few cases all the lesions completely disappeared within six weeks of the start of treatment. In two patients associated changes of rheumatoid arthritis disappeared as the skin condition improved. This latter finding was extended by Freedman and Bach, who treated 23 arthritic patients with quinacrine, of whom all but one were said to have improved. Pain subsided, soft tissue swelling decreased, and movement became free and more vigorous. Six to 10 weeks of therapy were necessary before all signs of joint inflammation disappeared. In this series only one side-reaction, a macular eruption, developed in a patient who