Declining concentrations of dihydroartemisinin in plasma during 5-day oral treatment with artesunate for Falciparum malaria.
Six patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria received artesunate for 5 days. Plasma concentrations of artesunate and dihydroartemisinin were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The concentrations of dihydroartemisinin in plasma 2 h after a dose showed a time-dependent decline. Concentrations of artesunate in plasma especially after the last dose, were very low. Despite this, all patients responded with a fast recovery.
Institute for Clinical Research in Tropical Medicine, Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.
N X
NX
Khanh
P J
PJ
de Vries
L D
LD
Ha
C J
CJ
van Boxtel
R
R
Koopmans
P A
PA
Kager
D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037621:Artemisinins; D000077332:Artesunate; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077332:Artesunate; C039060:artenimol