Artemisinin-naphthoquine combination: A directly observed treatment option in malaria

Resistance to standard antimalarials has led to the need for newer options. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which require a tedious three-day treatment schedule, have been introduced for the treatment of drug-resistant malaria. Of late, the new generation artemisinin-naphthoquine (ANQ) combination has been developed, which requires a single dose treatment. Artemisinin initiates the action through the cleavage of the endoperoxide bridge while naphtoquine maintains the process by getting concentrated in the digestive vacuole of the parasite. One ANQ tablet contains 50 mg naphthoquine and 125 mg of artemisinin in the ratio of 1:2.5. The optimal dosage in adults is 400 mg of naphthoquine and 1000 mg artemisinin; which amounts to 8 tablets in a single dose. The dosage for children is adjusted based on the body-weight. The combination has been found to be quite effective with and safe. Studies have demonstrated an adequate clinical and parasitologic response of 98.1-100% in both adults and children. However, further trials are required to confirm its non-inferiority with other ACTs. Adverse reactions with ANQ have been mild. Further studies are needed before safety can be established during pregnancy. ANQ increases the compliance rates because of single dosage. It may be administered by the peripheral health workers as a directly observed therapy, which would be of special benefit to troops in the North-Eastern Sector.