Publication: Randomised trial of artesunate and mefloquine alone and in sequence for acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria
Issued Date
1992-04-04
Resource Type
ISSN
01406736
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0026587184
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
The Lancet. Vol.339, No.8797 (1992), 821-824
Suggested Citation
S. Looareesuwan, C. Viravan, S. Vanijanonta, P. Wilairatana, P. Suntharasamai, P. Charoenlarp, K. Arnold, D. Kyle, K. Webster, C. Canfield Randomised trial of artesunate and mefloquine alone and in sequence for acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The Lancet. Vol.339, No.8797 (1992), 821-824. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(92)90276-9 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/22396
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Title
Randomised trial of artesunate and mefloquine alone and in sequence for acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria
Abstract
The increasing frequency of therapeutic failures in falciparum malaria in Thailand shows an urgent need for effective drugs or drug combinations. Artesunate, a qinghaosu derivative, is effective in clearing parasitaemia rapidly, but the recrudescence rate can be as high as 50%. We have compared artesunate followed by mefloquine with each drug alone in acute, uncomplicated falciparum malaria. 127 patients were randomly assigned treatment with artesunate (600 mg over 5 days), mefloquine (750 mg then 500 mg 6 h later), or artesunate followed by mefloquine. All patients were admitted to hospital for 28 days to exclude reinfection. Cure was defined as no recrudescence during the 28 days' follow-up. The cure rates for mefloquine and artesunate alone were 81% (30/37 patients) and 88% (35/40); the combination was effective in all of 39 patients. Fever and parasite clearance times were significantly shorter in the groups that received artesunate than in the mefloquine-only group. The frequency of nausea and vomiting was slightly, but not significantly, higher among patients who received both drugs than in the other groups. The combination of artesunate followed by mefloquine is highly effective and well tolerated in patients with acute, uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Thailand. © 1992.