Efficacy of artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesianer) suspension in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria among children under 5 years in eastern Sudan

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: the aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesianer) suspension for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children (aged 6-59 months) in Kassala in eastern Sudan. METHOD: This was a prospective clinical trial where the artemether-lumfantrine (Co-Artesianer) suspension was given for three days and the patients were followed-up for 28 days. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled in the study and 43 of them completed the 28-days follow-up. Treatment rapidly cleared parasitemia and fever. The overall 28-day cure rate was 100 percent and no clinical or parasitological failures were observed among these patients. Mild side effects were observed in three (7 percent) children. CONCLUSION: Artemether-lumfantrine (coartem) suspension appears to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria