CV8, a new combination of dihydroartemisinin, piperaquine, trimethoprim and primaquine, compared with atovaquone-proguanil against falciparum malaria in Vietnam

Trop Med Int Health. 2004 Feb;9(2):209-16. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3156.2003.01180.x.

Abstract

Objectives: To study a new combination, based on dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine (CV8) and atovaquone/proguanil (Malarone) for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Vietnam.

Methods: Vietnamese adults with falciparum malaria were allocated randomly to treatment with dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine/trimethoprim/primaquine 256/2560/720/40 mg (CV8, n = 84) or Malarone 3000/1200 mg (n = 81), both over 3 days. Patients were followed-up for 28 days.

Results: All patients recovered rapidly. The mean (95% CI) parasite elimination half-life of CV8 was 6.8 h (6.2-7.4) and of Malarone 6.5 h (6.1-6.9) (P = 0.4). Complete parasite clearance time was 35 (31-39) and 34 h (31-38) (P = 0.9). The 28-day cure rate was 94% and 95%, respectively (odds ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.18-3.81). No significant side-effects were found.

Conclusion: CV8 and Malarone are effective combinations against multi-drug resistant falciparum malaria. CV8 has the advantage of a low price.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antimalarials / administration & dosage*
  • Antimalarials / adverse effects
  • Artemisinins / administration & dosage
  • Artemisinins / adverse effects
  • Atovaquone
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / blood
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Naphthoquinones / adverse effects
  • Naphthoquinones / therapeutic use*
  • Parasitemia / drug therapy
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
  • Primaquine / administration & dosage
  • Primaquine / adverse effects
  • Proguanil / adverse effects
  • Proguanil / therapeutic use*
  • Quinolines / administration & dosage
  • Quinolines / adverse effects
  • Sesquiterpenes / administration & dosage
  • Sesquiterpenes / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trimethoprim / administration & dosage
  • Trimethoprim / adverse effects
  • Vietnam

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Artemisinins
  • Drug Combinations
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Quinolines
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • atovaquone, proguanil drug combination
  • artenimol
  • piperaquine
  • Trimethoprim
  • Primaquine
  • Proguanil
  • Atovaquone