QUINACRINE (ATABRINE) HYDROCHLORIDE IN TREATMENT OF DISCOID LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Encouraged by the report of Page,¹ we started the treatment of lupus erythematosus with quinacrine (Atabrine) hydrochloride in January, 1952. This paper is a report of our experience to date. Page at the time of his report had treated 18 patients with lupus erythematosus, and only 1 failed to exhibit improvement. The dosage suggested was 300 mg. of quinacrine hydrochloride administered daily until the skin was stained, and then 100 mg. given daily as a maintenance dose. He stated further that the duration of treatment varied with the clinical response and the degree of discoloration of the skin. In some cases treatment for six weeks was sufficient, and seldom was treatment required for more than three months. He also felt that the degree of improvement was related to the degree of staining of the skin. Page noted dramatic improvement in one case of acute disseminated lupus erythematosus, and