title: Efficacy and safety of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (Artekin) in Cambodian children and adults with uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
abstract: The safety and efficacy of a novel combination of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and piperaquine, Artekin (Holleykin Pharmaceuticals), were assessed in 106 patients (76 children and 30 adults) with uncomplicated falciparum malaria from 2 remote areas in Cambodia. Age-based doses were given at 0, 8, 24, and 32 h. Mean total DHA and piperaquine doses were 9.1 and 73.9 mg/kg, respectively, for children and 6.6 and 52.9 mg/kg for adults. All patients became aparasitemic within 72 h. Excluding the results for 1 child who died on day 4, there was a 96.9% 28-day cure rate (98.6% in children and 92.3% in adults). Patients who had recrudescent infection received low doses of Artekin. Side effects were reported by 22 patients (21%) but did not necessitate premature cessation of therapy. Although Artekin is a promising and inexpensive option for antimalarial therapy, further efficacy and pharmacokinetic studies are needed, especially for its use in children.
authors.affiliation: European Commission, Cambodia Malaria Control Programme, and National Malaria Centre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors.forename: Mey Bouth
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Denis
authors.forename: Timothy M E
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Incardona
authors.forename: Khim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nimol
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fandeur
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Poravuth
authors.forename: Chiv
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Doung
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Socheat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002160:Cambodia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011804:Quinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D010879:Piperazines
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D011804:Quinolines; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C039060:artenimol; C034759:piperaquine; D010879:Piperazines