The efficacy and tolerability of doxycycline and mefloquine in malaria prophylaxis of the ISAF troops in Afghanistan.
OBJECTIVE
Afghanistan is one of the endemic regions of chloroquine resistant P. falciparum. Mefloquine and doxycycline are among the recommended prophylactic regimes. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the two regimes on the Turkish soldiers settled in Kabul, Afghanistan.


METHODS
A total number of 1400 soldiers were subjected to prophylactic regimes with either doxycycline 100 mg/day (n=986) or mefloquine 250 mg/week (n=414). Prophylaxis lasted about 12 weeks. The side effects and compliances were investigated by questionnaires. All soldiers were monitored up to 6 months after returning home.


RESULTS
No malaria case was observed and there was no severe side effect in either group. The total side effects in doxycycline group were significantly higher (P<0.001). The compliance of mefloquine takers was better than the doxycycline takers (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The tolerability of the mefloquine regime is better than the doxycycline regime in malaria prophylaxis.
Sonmez
Alper
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Gulhane School of Medicine, General Tevfik Saglam Caddesi, Etlik, 06018 Ankara, Turkey. asonmez@gata.edu.tr
Harlak
Ali
A
Kilic
Selim
S
Polat
Zülfikar
Z
Hayat
Levent
L
Keskin
Ozcan
O
Dogru
Teoman
T
Yilmaz
M Ilker
MI
Acikel
Cengiz Han
CH
Kocar
Ismail H
IH
D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018890:Chemoprevention; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008889:Military Personnel; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey
D000962:Antimalarials; D004318:Doxycycline; D015767:Mefloquine