Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Artesunate Plus Amodiaquine Combination (act) and Amodiaquine Plus Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Combination (non-act) in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Malaria in Enugu State, Nigeria

Nigeria has changed the recommended treatment for acute uncomplicated P.falciparum malaria to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). However, non-ACT regimen of Amodiaquine and Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AQ + SP) are reported to be effective, safe, readily available and affordable compared to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomedical & pharmacology journal 2008-12, Vol.1 (2), p.371-374
Main Authors: Nwobodo, Okonkwo, P O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amodiaquine
Antimalarial agents
Artemisinin
Artesunate
Children
Dihydrofolate reductase
Drug dosages
Erythrocytes
Fever
Hematocrit
Malaria
Parasites
Pyrimethamine
Statistical analysis
Sulfadoxine
Vomiting
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Summary:Nigeria has changed the recommended treatment for acute uncomplicated P.falciparum malaria to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). However, non-ACT regimen of Amodiaquine and Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AQ + SP) are reported to be effective, safe, readily available and affordable compared to ACT. In a randomized controlled trial involving 120 children aged 6 to 59 months (M:F, 1:1.32) with clinically characterized malaria; the efficacy of non-ACT combination, (AQ + SP) and ACT combination, Artesunate plus Amodiaquine (AT + AQ) was evaluated. Results revealed that mean Fever Clearance Time (FCT) of 28.3+2.3 hours in non-ACT was not significantly different (P>0.05) from 25.4+2.3 hours reported for ACT combination. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean Parasite Clearance Time (PCT) for both ACT and non-ACT combinations. Again, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the haematocrit and axillary temperatures between pre and post-treatment in both non-ACT and ACT treatment groups. In conclusion, the AQ + SP combination (non-ACT) is strongly recommended as a cost effective and therapeutic alternative to ACT for the treatment of uncomplicated P.falciparum malaria especially in under five children in Enugu State, Nigeria.
ISSN:0974-6242
2456-2610