Global Advanced Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences (GARJMMS) ISSN: 2315-5159
June 2015 Vol. 4(6), pp. 289-295
Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Efficacy and safety of artesunate in microspheres form in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults in Abidjan

Effo KE¹*, Yavo W², Barro-kiki PC², Djohan V², Aka S³, Irie-Nguessan G¹, Kouakou-Siransy G¹, Koffi AA³, Kablan BJ¹, Menan EI² and Kone M²

¹Département de Pharmacologie, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny
²Département de Parasitologie et Mycologie, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny
³Département de Pharmacie Galénique, UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny

*Corresponding Author E-mail: effoet@yahoo.fr, effoeti@gmail.com;  Cel phone: (00225) 07192476/01414263 

Accepted 29 June, 2015

Abstract

The treatment of malaria with effective and well-tolerated antimalarial is an ongoing challenge in the fight against this disease. To contribute to the development of better drugs, this study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of administration of artesunate 200 mg in microspheres form. It was conducted in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, in 50 adult patients with an uncomplicated  Plasmodium falciparum malaria. After inclusion in the study, the clinical and parasitological follow-up of patients was performed according to the WHO protocol for 28 days. Artesunate in microspheres form was administered at a dose of 400 mg taken twice daily on day 1 and 200 mg on day 2 to day 5 single dose. Biological tolerance was assessed by hematological and biochemical examinations on day 1, day 7 and day 28_. Therapeutically, the cure rate at day 14 and day 28 were 100%. However, we noted 6% (3 cases) of reinfestation confirmed by a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The average clearance time for heat and parasite were 54.32 hours and 32.64 hours respectively. The overall tolerance (Clinical and biological) was estimated as very good or good in 96% of cases and moderate in 4% of patients. The most frequent side effects were nausea (12%), asthenia (12%) and vomiting (10%), but with no clear relationship with the drug under study. Artesunate 200 mg in microspheres thus is an effective and well-tolerated drug. It could thus be recommended in combination with another antimalarial drug in artemisinin combination therapy  recommended for malaria treatment.

Keywords: Uncomplicated malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Artesunate, microspheres.