Double-blind studies with mefloquine alone and in combination with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in 120 adults and 120 children with falciparum malaria in Vietnam

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Abstract
In 120 adult Vietnamese patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria the efficacy of, and tolerance to, mefloquine (M) vs the combination of mefloquine + sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine (MSP) was studied in a double-blind, randomized comparative trial with chloroquine. Also, a double-blind dose finding study of MSP was performed in 120 Vietnamese children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. In the adults the mean parasite clearance time with M was 3·8 d and with MSP 3·6 d. Defervescence occurred in 2·9 and 3·0 d respectively for M and MSP. There was a 36·8% resistance rate in 38 patients treated with chloroquine. 96% of the children were sensitive or showed a delayed RI response. The lowest dose of MSP (10 mg/kg M + 20 mg/kg S + 1·0 mg/kg P, 1 tablet Fansimef®) was as effective as 1·5–2× this dose in children weighing 23–30 kg. Side effects were mild, except for vomiting which required alternative therapy in 4 patients.