Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, June
2008; 7(2):
937-944
Abstract
Purpose:
The study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of
adverse reactions to antimalarial drugs among residents
of a Nigeria university community with a focus on
artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT).
Specifically, the profile of use, and the reporting
culture of people with respect to experienced reactions
were noted.
Method:
Questionnaires were administered to respondents at the
university health centre between November 2006 and
January 2007. Information on demographic
characteristics, nature of experienced adverse reactions
and the most frequently used ACT, among other questions,
were collected. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s
Exact test were used to evaluate the distribution of
respondent’s opinion.
Result:
The study achieved a response rate of 86%. The results
revealed that 210 (70.0 %) of respondents said they had
used artemisinin-based combination drugs while 134 (44.7
%) said they used artemisinin derivatives alone as
monotherapy for malaria treatment. Artesunate plus
amodiaquine 94 (31.3%) as a co-packaged product was the
most commonly used ACT. Incidence of the experienced
adverse reactions to ACT was reported to be generally
mild and well tolerated.
Conclusion:
Efforts to improve the use of ACT in the management of acute
uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria is recommended.
Furthermore, an effective mechanism to improve reporting
of adverse effects of ACT is also recommended
Key Words:
Adverse Drug
Reaction, Artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT), malaria
