Naphthoquine phosphate and its combination with artemisinine.
Naphthoquine phosphate and artemisinine are two antimalarials developed in China. Both drugs have proven to be efficacious and well tolerated as monotherapy as well as in combination in patients suffering from malaria. The Co-naphthoquine, a novel antimalarial combination, is an oral fixed combination tablet of the naphthoquine phosphate and artemisinine. Artemisinin is characterised by a rapid onset of schizonticidal action and a short half-life. Parasite clearance is, however, often incomplete when it is employed as a single agent unless high dosages are used over several days, but such a regimen may reduce patient compliance and increase the danger of toxicity. Naphthoquine phosphate, by contrast, has a slower onset of action and a longer half-life, associated with a low recrudescence rate. The two components act synergistically in animal, and clinically provide more rapid relief of symptoms and a higher cure rate than either component alone. The combination tablet was initially developed by the Academy of Military Medical Sciences (AMMS), Beijing, China.
Wang
Jing-yan
JY
Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Malitary Medical Sciences and Epidemiology, 20 Dongdajie Fengtai, 100071, Beijing, China. wangiy@nic.bmi.ac.cn
Cao
Wu-chun
WC
Shan
Cheng-qi
CQ
Zhang
Min
M
Li
Guo-fu
GF
Ding
De-ben
DB
Shi
Yun-lin
YL
Wu
Bo-an
BA
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000187:drug effects; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000187:drug effects*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C031327:artemisinin