Publication: Antimalarial dosing regimens and drug resistance
Issued Date
2008-03-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14714922
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-39749193827
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Trends in Parasitology. Vol.24, No.3 (2008), 127-134
Suggested Citation
Karen I. Barnes, William M. Watkins, Nicholas J. White Antimalarial dosing regimens and drug resistance. Trends in Parasitology. Vol.24, No.3 (2008), 127-134. doi:10.1016/j.pt.2007.11.008 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/19367
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Title
Antimalarial dosing regimens and drug resistance
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Abstract
The contribution of underdosing to antimalarial treatment failure has been underappreciated. Most recommended dosage regimens are based on studies in non-pregnant adult patients. Young children and pregnant women, who bear the heaviest malaria burden, have the highest treatment failure rates. This has been attributed previously to lower immunity, although blood concentrations of many antimalarial drugs are significantly lower in pregnant women and young children than in non-pregnant adults. Nevertheless, there have been no studies of higher dosages. Sub-therapeutic concentrations will certainly contribute to poorer responses to treatment and will fuel the emergence and spread of antimalarial drug resistance. There is an urgent need for studies to optimise antimalarial dosage regimens in infants, young children and pregnant women, both to improve cure rates and to prolong the useful therapeutic lives of antimalarial drugs. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.