Detection and estimation of antimalarial drugs in body fluids — I. Field test for amodiaquine in urine and saliva

Abstract

Simple and specific tests for the detection of antimalarial drugs are required during clinical studies on the sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to these drugs. A specific colour test has been developed for amodiaquine which is sensitive enough to permit the visual detection of the drug, following the oral administration of a single 600 mg dose, for up to 10 days in saliva and up to seven weeks in urine. The test is based on the oxidation of amodiaquine to a yellow-coloured derivative using an aqueous solution of potassium persulphate and disodium hydrogen orthophosphate as oxidant. The colour has also been determined spectrophotometrically at 560 nm to achieve a lower detection limit of 0.5 microg amodiaquine in 10 ml biological fluid.