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Published on: July 11, 2025
578
Novel anti-malarial combinations and their toxicity
1Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Rm7400, Level 7 The John Radcliffe, Headington, Oxford, OX39DU, UK.
Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology
|April 11, 2014
Summary
Artemisinin combination therapies are effective for uncomplicated malaria. Emerging resistance necessitates optimizing drug doses and exploring new treatments to sustain malaria mortality reductions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the current standard for uncomplicated malaria treatment.
- Established ACTs include artemether-lumefantrine, artesunate-amodiaquine, artesunate-mefloquine, artesunate-sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine.
- These treatments have been safe and effective, contributing to significant malaria mortality reductions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current artemisinin combination therapies for uncomplicated malaria.
- To highlight the challenges posed by emerging artemisinin resistance.
- To emphasize the need for optimized dosing and novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing artemisinin combination therapies.
- Analysis of the current efficacy and safety profiles of ACTs.
- Assessment of the implications of artemisinin resistance in Southeast Asia.
Main Results:
- Several artemisinin combination therapies are currently available and effective.
- Artemisinin resistance is a growing concern in Southeast Asia.
- Existing therapies remain safe and efficacious in most regions.
Conclusions:
- Continued vigilance and research are crucial to combat malaria.
- Optimizing current drug dosing regimens is essential.
- Development of novel antimalarial therapies is urgently required to overcome resistance and maintain progress in malaria control.
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