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ObjectivesTo compare the efficacy and tolerability of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHA-PQP) with that of a 3-day regimen of mefloquine and artesunate (MAS3) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Cambodia.MethodRandomized open-label non-inferiority study over 64 days.ResultsFour hundred and sixty-four patients were included in the study. The polymerase chain reaction genotyping-adjusted cure rates on day 63 were 97.5% (95% confidence interval, CI, 93.8-99.3) for DHA-PQP and 97.5% (95% CI, 93.8-99.3) for MAS3, P = 1. There were no serious adverse events, but significantly more episodes of vomiting (P = 0.03), dizziness (P = 0.002), palpitations (P = 0.04), and sleep disorders (P = 0.03) reported in the MAS3 treatment group, consistent with the side-effect profile of mefloquine.ConclusionsDHA-PQP was as efficacious as MAS3, but much better tolerated, making it more appropriate for use in a routine programme setting. This highly efficacious, safe and more affordable fixed-dose combination could become the treatment of choice for Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Cambodia.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01786.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH

Publication Date

02/2007

Volume

12

Pages

251 - 259

Addresses

Médecins Sans Frontières, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. b.janssens@bigfoot.com

Keywords

Humans, Malaria, Falciparum, Malaria, Vivax, Anemia, Recurrence, Sesquiterpenes, Artemisinins, Quinolines, Mefloquine, Antimalarials, Treatment Outcome, Drug Therapy, Combination, Genome, Protozoan, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Middle Aged, Child, Child, Preschool, Infant, Cambodia, Female, Male, Artesunate