Clinical trials of artemisinin and its derivatives in the treatment of malaria in China

Abstract
Since 1979 several derivatives of artemisinin have been synthesized and studied in China. Artemisinin suppositories, artesunate (oral or parenteral), intramuscular artemether and dihydroartemisinin tablets have all proved rapidly effective. In all, 2352 patients (2150 with Plasmodium falciparum and 202 with P. vivax) have been included in clinical trials from our centre. All preparations have been well tolerated. These drugs have now replaced chloroquine and quinine for the treatment of malaria in China.