Artemether-lumefantrine treatment of uncomplicated plasmodium falciparum malaria: A systematic review
Meta-analysis of day 7 lumefantrine concentrations and therapeutic response using individual patient data
Abstract
Achieving adequate antimalarial drug exposure is essential for curing malaria. The WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) conducted a large pooled analysis of individual pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic data from patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, to define therapeutic day 7 lumefantrine concentrations and identify patient factors that substantially alter these concentrations.
3 groups are at increased risk of treatment failure: very young children (particularly those underweight-for-age); patients with high parasitemias; and patients in very low transmission intensity areas with emerging parasite resistance. In these groups, adherence and treatment response should be monitored closely. Higher, more frequent, or prolonged dosage regimens should now be evaluated in very young children, particularly if malnourished, and in patients with hyperparasitemia.
Citation
WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) Lumefantrine pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) Study Group.(2015) Artemether-lumefantrine treatment of uncomplicated plasmodium falciparum malaria: A systematic review and meta-analysis of day 7 lumefantrine concentrations and therapeutic response using individual patient data BMC Medicine 2015 13:227 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-015-0456-7