Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Artesunate Plus Amodiaquine Combination (act) and Amodiaquine Plus Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Combination (non-act) in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Malaria in Enugu State, Nigeria.
Nwobodo¹* and P. O. Okonkwo²1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu (Nigeria).
2Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria (Nigeria).
Abstract: Nigeria has changed the recommended treatment for acute uncomplicated P.falciparum malaria to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). However, non-ACT regimen of Amodiaquine and Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (AQ + SP) are reported to be effective, safe, readily available and affordable compared to ACT. In a randomized controlled trial involving 120 children aged 6 to 59 months (M:F, 1:1.32) with clinically characterized malaria; the efficacy of non-ACT combination, (AQ + SP) and ACT combination, Artesunate plus Amodiaquine (AT + AQ) was evaluated. Results revealed that mean Fever Clearance Time (FCT) of 28.3+2.3 hours in non-ACT was not significantly different (P>0.05) from 25.4+2.3 hours reported for ACT combination. Similarly, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean Parasite Clearance Time (PCT) for both ACT and non-ACT combinations. Again, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the haematocrit and axillary temperatures between pre and post-treatment in both non-ACT and ACT treatment groups. In conclusion, the AQ + SP combination (non-ACT) is strongly recommended as a cost effective and therapeutic alternative to ACT for the treatment of uncomplicated P.falciparum malaria especially in under five children in Enugu State, Nigeria.
Keywords: ACT; efficacy; malaria; non-ACT Back to TOC