Rosaceans

Mepacrine

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Mepacrine, aka, Quinacrine (trade name: Atabrine)

Mepacrine has sometimes been prescribed for rosacea as a secondary treatment if the first line of treatment fails. It is one of several antimalarial drugs that have been found also to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help some skin conditions, including rosacea. Apparently Mepacrine is only available in the UK and not approved in the USA or Canada. Here are some medical references for you to consider:

Mepacrine in rosacea
P M INMAN, B GORDON
Acta Derm Venereol. 1955 ;35 (6):446-52 13301319 (P,S,G,E,B)

Mepacrine and chloroquine in the treatment of rosacea.
BRODTHAGEN H.
Br J Dermatol. 1955 Dec;67(12):421-5.

Treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus, polymorphous photodermatosis and rosacea with Triquin--a combination of 3 anti-malarials.
FREDRIKSSON T, LODIN A, ROSENGREN S.
Sven Lakartidn. 1962 Oct 4;59:2858-62. Swedish

ETIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF ROSACEA.
LEPIAVKO AG, GLUKHENKII TT.
Sov Med. 1964 Apr;28:124-6. Russian

So the extent of treating rosacea with Mepacrine is based upon four articles dated from 1955 thru 1964. There are reports of at least some rosaceans who have been prescribed Mepacrine and one who says it 'cured' his rosacea. Here are the reports:

Report 1
Report 2
Report 3
Report 4
Report 4

Apparently Mepacrine was originally used as a synthetic drug to treat malaria and then used for all sorts of other conditions from modifying myocardial reperfusion injury to rheumatic diseases. Mepacrine is used particularly to treat discoid lupus erythematosus and for subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus and also been used in the treatment of erythema multiforme and sarcoidosis. It has also been used as an antibiotic in the treatment of Giardiasis (an intestinal parasite), and in research as an inhibitor of phospholipase A2 Source.

One report in 1947 said that a psychosis associated with mepacrine use had been observed:

Mepacrine Psychosis
David Perk, M.D., D.P.M., Late Lt.-Col. R.A.M.C.
Journal of Mental Science (1947) 93: 756-771. doi: 10.1192/bjp.93.393.756
© 1947 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Side Effects

Yellow discoloration of the skin and urine may occur during long-term treatment or with large doses and goes away when you stop the drug. Similarly, the palate, nails and eyes may be discoloured blue or black. Mepacrine can cause dizziness, particularly when you get up from sitting or lying down. Other possible side effects include: tummy upsets, headaches, feeling and being sick, skin rashes (including severe rashes), changes in mood or behaviour. Fits may occur with over-dosing. Liver inflammation and alterations in the blood count can occur but are rare.

Precautions

Mepacrine should be used with caution in:
• patients with porphyria,
• elderly patients,
• the presence of liver disease.
Mepacrine should be avoided by patients with psoriasis as it can make this eruption worse. It should also be avoided in myasthenia gravis and by patients with a history of the severe forms of mental illness called psychoses.

It is recommended that you should avoid taking it if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, or if you are breast feeding.

Some drugs do interact with mepacrine. For example, mepacrine may increase the blood level of primaquine, resulting in a higher risk of toxicity, and it has been recommended that these two drugs should not be used together. Other drugs that can interact are ciclosporin, digoxin, amiodarone, anticonvulsants, penicillamine, cimetidine and antacids among others. Always inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking other medication. Source

Controversy

One controversy with the use of Mepacrine is it may cause sterilization in females. The controversy over sterilization can be read on Wikipedia by clicking the link below:

For more information, please visit this items webpage.

This item was added to our catalog on Friday 19 December, 2008.