Halofantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria with a three-dose regimen in Papua New Guinea: a preliminary report.
We evaluated the efficacy and safety of halofantrine in 19 patients with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Each patient received oral halofantrine hydrochloride 500 mg every 6 hours for 3 doses (total 1.5 g). In almost all the patients clinical symptoms of malaria and parasitaemia disappeared within 2 and 3 days, respectively, of starting treatment. We observed no recurrence of parasitaemia during 14 days of follow-up. Tolerance to halofantrine was good except for minor and self-limiting gastrointestinal side-effects. Haematological and biochemical indices were not seriously affected. Halofantrine-induced prolongation of Q-T/Q-Tc intervals was the consistent cardiac manifestation in 84% of patients. The Q-T/Q-Tc interval prolongation increased with each dose; it reached a maximum between 18 and 24 hours and thereafter returned to baseline. These preliminary data indicate that, apart from the cardiac side-effects, halofantrine is an effective and safe drug, well tolerated by most of the patients in the study.
Hombhanje
F W
FW
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Kereu
R K
RK
Bulungol
P
P
Paika
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000962:Antimalarials; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C023768:halofantrine