Double blind randomised clinical trial of two different regimens of oral artesunate in falciparum malaria

Abstract

A double blind randomized comparative trial of the efficacy of 7-day and 5-day courses of oral artesunate at 600 mg was studied in 89 Thai patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Eighty patients completed the 28-day follow-up period. Artesunate was found to be well tolerated in either regimen. There was an increase of 7% in the cure rate obtained from a 7-day regimen. In 43 patients with a 7-day regimen, the cure rate was 92.5% and 15 patients showed P. vivax in their peripheral blood between days 12 and 34. The mean fever and parasite clearance times were 20 and 40 hours, respectively. In 46 patients with a 5-day regimen, the cure rate was 85% and 8 patients showed P. vivax during days 13 and 24. The mean fever and parasite clearance times were 29 and 40 hours, respectively. Although the cure rates of oral artesunate were high in both regimens, the efficacy was considered unsatisfactory since the aim of the treatment is to achieve 100% cure rate. We suggest however that the extension of the duration of treatment to 7 days together with the increase in total dose may improve therapeutic efficacy of artesunate in falciparum malaria.