An in vivo test to assess mefloquine 25 mg/kg for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Rondônia, Brazil

Braz J Infect Dis. 2006 Aug;10(4):279-82. doi: 10.1590/s1413-86702006000400013.

Abstract

Drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is undermining malaria control efforts worldwide. In Brazil, mefloquine (MQ) at a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight is used to treat P. falciparum. At this dose, MQ resistance developed rapidly in Thailand. Use of a higher MQ dose may retard the development of resistance. We treated 50 patients aged one to 67 years who had acute, uncomplicated P falciparum malaria using MQ 25 mg/kg. There were no serious adverse events. Two patients complained of dizziness and insomnia. Assessing evaluable patients, the day 42 cure rate was 40/42 [95.2% (95% confidence interval 83.8 to 99.4%)]. Mefloquine was efficacious and well tolerated in this small cohort from the state of Rôndonia.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antimalarials / administration & dosage*
  • Antimalarials / adverse effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Mefloquine / administration & dosage*
  • Mefloquine / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Mefloquine