Comparison of artesunate–mefloquine and artemether–lumefantrine fixed-dose combinations for treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria

This is a study in children under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a randomised, multicentre, phase 4 trial

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends combinations of an artemisinin derivative plus an antimalarial drug of longer half-life as treatment options for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection. In Africa, artemether–lumefantrine is the most widely used artemisinin-based combination therapy, whereas artesunate–mefloquine is used infrequently because of a perceived poor tolerance to mefloquine.

WHO recommends reconsideration of the use of artesunate–mefloquine in Africa. The authors compared the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose artesunate–mefloquine with that of artemether–lumefantrine for treatment of children younger than 5 years with uncomplicated P falciparum malaria.

This research is part of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi).

Citation

Sodiomon BS, Ogutu B, Lusingu JPA, Mtoro A, Mrango Z, Ouedraogo A, Yaro JB, Onyango KO, Gesase S, Mnkande E, Ngocho JS, Ackermann I, Aubin F, Vanraes J, Strub N, Carn G. (2016) Comparison of artesunate–mefloquine and artemether–lumefantrine fixed-dose combinations for treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in children under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa: a randomised, multicentre, phase 4 trial The Lancet Volume 16, No. 10, p1123–1133 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(16)30020-2

Comparison of artesunate–mefloquine and artemether–lumefantrine fixed-dose combinations for treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in children under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa: a randomised, multicentre, phase 4 trial

Published 1 October 2016