title: Cardiac effects of antimalarial treatment with halofantrine.
abstract: In a prospective electrocardiographic study of Karen patients with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria, mefloquine (25 mg/kg) had no cardiac effects (n = 53), but halofantrine (72 mg/kg) induced consistent dose-related lengthening of the PR and QT intervals in all 61 patients treated. The likelihood of significant QTc prolongation (by more than 25% or a QTc of 0.55 s1/2 or more) was greater after halofantrine as retreatment following mefloquine failure than as primary treatment (7/10 vs 18/51; relative risk 2.0 [95% Cl 1.1-3.4], p = 0.04). More than 60% of the effect occurred with three doses of halofantrine (24 mg/kg). The arrhythmogenic potential of halofantrine should now be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Mae Sot, Thailand.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nosten
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: ter Kuile
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luxemburger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Woodrow
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kyle
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chongsuphajaisiddhi
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C023768:halofantrine; D015767:Mefloquine