Halofantrine in the treatment of acute malaria: a multi-centre study in 268 patients.
The clinical efficacy and tolerability of halofantrine, a new antimalarial schizontocide, was studied in a multi-centre trial involving 268 patients ranging in age from 6 months to 58 years. The patients were suffering from acute uncomplicated malaria due to either P. vivax or P. falciparum. Patients were treated orally with 3 doses of halofantrine hydrochloride, 500 mg/6-hourly in adults or 8 mg/kg body weight 6-hourly in children. The overall cure rate was 96.9%. The mean fever clearance time for different species was as follows: P. vivax--39.1 hours, P. falciparum--43.2 hours, mixed infection--60.0 hours, and the mean parasitaemia clearance times were 47.7, 55.1 and 72.0 hours, respectively. Recrudescence was reported in 11 (4.1%) patients, although all of them were parasite-free on Day 7 post-treatment. No haematological or biochemical abnormalities were noted. The drug was very well tolerated and no significant side-effects were reported. Halofantrine was found to be highly effective in acute malaria and offers an important alternative to existing medications.
Jagota
S C
SC
Eskayef Limited, Bangalore, India.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C023768:halofantrine