[A study of artemether combined with primaquine in the treatment of falciparum malaria].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of artemether combined with primaquine in the treatment of falciparum malaria.


METHODS
Randomization and comparison methods were used in 121 falciparum malaria cases in the Republic of Central Africa. Sixty-one cases were treated with artemether combined with primaquine (Group A used artemether orally, Group B used artemether intramuscularly). And 60 cases received single artemether (Group C used artemether orally, Group D used artemether intramuscularly) were taken as control.


RESULTS
In Group A and B the mean fever clearance time were 47.6 +/- 15.7 and 36.9 +/- 10.7 hours, clinical cure rates 84.4% and 100%, relapse rates 6.3% and 3.4%, respectively. In Group C and D the mean fever clearance time were 48.2 +/- 18.4 and 42.2 +/- 9.5 hours, clinical cure rates 90.1% and 96.3%, relapse rates 21.2% and 18.5%, respectively. Side effects in cases of all groups were mild.


CONCLUSIONS
Artemether combined with primaquine and single artemether(via both routes) showed good therapeutic effects in falciparum malaria cases, while artemether combined with primaquine was more effective than single artemether in reducing relapes rate of malaria.
Huang
J R
JR
First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University of Medical College, Hangzhou 310003.
Gao
Y Q
YQ
Elie
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077549:Artemether; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011319:Primaquine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D000077549:Artemether; D011319:Primaquine