title: An open label randomized comparison of mefloquine-artesunate as separate tablets vs. a new co-formulated combination for the treatment of uncomplicated multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria in Thailand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Delivering drugs in a fixed combination is essential to the success of the strategy of artemisinin-based combination therapy. This prevents one drug being taken without the protection of the other, reducing the chance of emergence and spread of drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. A lower tablet burden should also facilitate adherence to treatment. A new fixed combination of mefloquine plus artesunate has been developed. This was compared with the conventional regimen of separate tablets for the treatment of uncomplicated multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the north-western border of Thailand 500 adults and children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were randomized to receive either the new fixed combination or separate tablets. They were followed up weekly for 63 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The day 63 polymerase chain reaction-adjusted cure rates were 91.9% (95% CI 88.2-95.6) in the fixed combination group and 89.2% (85.0-93.4) in the loose tablets group (P=0.3). There was a lower incidence of early vomiting in the group receiving the fixed combination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new fixed combination of mefloquine and artesunate was efficacious, well tolerated and convenient to administer.
authors.affiliation: Shoklo Malaria Research Unit, Tak, Thailand.
authors.forename: Elizabeth A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: Khin Maung
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lwin
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McGready
authors.forename: Win Htay
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Phaiphun
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Proux
authors.forename: Nantawan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wangseang
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Kasia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stepniewska
authors.forename: Wimon
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nawamaneerat
authors.forename: Kyaw Lay
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Thwai
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barends
authors.forename: Wattana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Leowattana
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olliaro
authors.forename: Pratap
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singhasivanon
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nosten
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077332:Artesunate; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004338:Drug Combinations; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015767:Mefloquine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011786:Quality Control; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013607:Tablets; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013607:Tablets; D000077332:Artesunate; D015767:Mefloquine