Atovaquone and Proguanil versus Amodiaquine for the Treatment of Plasmodium falciparum Malaria in African Infants and Young Children

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Abstract
Malaria-related morbidity and mortality are greatest among young children in areas with high malaria transmission intensity. An open-label, randomized study was done to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of atovaquone and proguanil formulated as pediatric-strength tablets (20 and 8 mg/kg of body weight, respectively, administered once daily for 3 days), compared with amodiaquine (10 mg/kg of body weight, once daily for 3 days), among children weighing ⩾5 and P < .001). The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups, and no serious adverse events were attributed to the use of atovaquone/proguanil. Atovaquone/proguanil was found to be highly effective and safe for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in infants and young children weighing 5–10 kg in Africa.