Efficacy of artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesiane^®) suspension in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria among children under 5 years in eastern Sudan

Muntaisr T. Salah¹, Mohamed Faroug², Mamoum M. Magzoub², Ishag Adam³

¹Ribat University, Sudan, ²Kassala University, Sudan, ³Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan and The Academy of Medical Sciences and Technology

 

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2006; 5(1): 551-555

ISSN: 1596-5996

 

Abstract

 

Purpose:   the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesiane^®) suspension for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children (aged 6-59 months) in Kassala in eastern Sudan.

Method: This was a prospective clinical trial where the artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesiane^®) suspension was given for three days and the patients were followed-up for 28 days

Results:   Forty-eight patients were enrolled in the study and 43 of them completed the 28-days follow-up. Treatment rapidly cleared parasitemia and fever. The overall 28-day cure rate was 100% and no clinical or parasitological failures were observed among these patients.  Mild side effects were observed in three (7%) children. 

Conclusion: Artemether-lumfantrine (coartem) suspension appears to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria.

Keywords: Artemether-lumfantrine, Co-Artesiane, children, falciparum, malaria, Sudan

To whom correspondence should be addressed: Dr. Ishag Adam P. O. Box 102 Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Sudan. Tel+ 249912168988  Fax +249183224799 E.mail : ishagadamm@yahoo.com