Intervention Review

You have free access to this content

Artemether-lumefantrine (four-dose regimen) for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria

  1. Aika AA Omari1,*,
  2. Carrol L Gamble2,
  3. Paul Garner3

Editorial Group: Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group

Published Online: 20 JAN 2010

Assessed as up-to-date: 19 JAN 2006

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005965

Database Title

Additional Information

How to Cite

Omari AAA, Gamble CL, Garner P. Artemether-lumefantrine (four-dose regimen) for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005965. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005965.

Author Information

  1. 1

    Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK

  2. 2

    University of Liverpool, Centre for Medical Statistics and Health Evaluation, Liverpool, UK

  3. 3

    Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, International Health Group, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK

*Aika AA Omari, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP, UK. aomari@nhs.net. aika@omari1677.freeserve.co.uk.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: Stable (no update expected for reasons given in 'What's new')
  2. Published Online: 20 JAN 2010

SEARCH

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Summary (57K)Standard (354K)Full (426K)

References

References to studies included in this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Hatz 1998 {published data only}
  • Hatz C, Abdulla S, Mull R, Schellenberg D, Gathmann I, Kibatala P, et al. Efficacy and safety of CGP 56697 (artemether and benflumetol) compared with chloroquine to treat acute falciparum malaria in Tanzanian children aged 1-5 years. Tropical Medicine and International Health 1998;3(6):498-504.
    Direct Link:
  • Irion A, Felger I, Abdulla S, Smith T, Mull R, Tanner M, et al. Distinction of recrudescences from new infections by PCR-RFLP analysis in a comparative trial of CPG 56 697 and chloroquine in Tanzanian children. Tropical Medicine and International Health 1998;3(6):490-7.
    Direct Link:
Kshirsagar 2000 {published data only}
  • Kshirsagar N, Gogtay NJ, Moorthy NS, Garg MR, Dalvi SS, Chogle AR, et al. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, comparative safety, and efficacy trial of oral co-artemether versus oral chloroquine in the treatment of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults in India. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2000;62(3):402-8.
Looareesuwan 1999 {published data only}
  • Looareesuwan S, Wilairatana P, Chokejindachai W, Chalermrut K, Wernsdorfer W, Gemperli B, et al. A randomized, double-blind, comparative trial of a new oral combination of artemether and benflumetol (CGP 56697) with mefloquine in the treatment of acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Thailand. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1999;60(2):238-43.
Van Agtmael 1999a {published data only}
  • Van Agtmael M, Bouchaud O, Malvy D, Delmont J, Danis M, Barette S, et al. The comparative efficacy and tolerability of CGP 56697 (artemether + lumefantrine) versus halofantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in travellers returning from the Tropics to The Netherlands and France. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 1999;12(2):159-69.
Van Vugt 1998a {published data only}
  • Van Vugt M, Brockman A, Gemperli B, Luxemburger C, Gathmann I, Royce C, et al. Randomized comparison of artemether-benflumetol and artesunate-mefloquine in treatment of multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 1998;42(1):135-9.
Van Vugt 1999 {published data only}
  • Van Vugt M, Wilairatana P, Gemperli B, Gathmann I, Phaipun L, Brockman A, et al. Efficacy of six doses of artemether-lumefantrine (benflumetol) in multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1999;60(6):936-42.
Von Seidlein 1998 {published data only}
  • Von Seidlein, Bojang K, Jones P, Jaffar S, Pinder M, Obaro S, et al. A randomized controlled trial of artemether/benflumetol, a new antimalarial and pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in African children. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1998;58(5):638-44.

References to studies excluded from this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Espino 2002 {unpublished data only}
  • Espino FE. Efficacy studies of chloroquine+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artemether-lumefantrine for uncomplicated malaria in Mindanao Island, Philippines. 2002.
Falade 2005 {published data only}
  • Falade C, Makanga M, Premji Z, Ortmann CE, Stockmeyer M, de Palacios PI. Efficacy and safety of artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem) tablets (six-dose regimen) in African infants and children with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2005;99(6):459-67.
Jiao 1997 {unpublished data only}
  • Jiao XQ, Liu EY, Shan CQ, Dal P, Gathmann I, Mull R, et al. A double-blind comparative trial of benflumetol, a novel antimalaria, and CGP 56697, a combination of benflumetol and artemether, in the treatment of acute P. falciparum malaria in adults in China. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference of Travel Medicine; 1997 Mar 24-27; Geneva (Switzerland). 1997:Abstract 108.
Karbwang 2002 {unpublished data only}
  • Karbwang J. Coartemether safety and efficacy evaluation of the six dose regimen in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in children and infants. 2002.
Krudsood 2003 {published data only}
  • Krudsood S, Chalermrut K, Pengruksa C, Srivilairit S, Silachamroon U, Treeprasertsuk S, et al. Comparative clinical trial of two-fixed combinations dihydroartemisinin-napthoquine-trimethoprim (DNP) and artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem/Riamet) in the treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Thailand. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 2003;34(2):316-21.
Lefevre 2001 {published data only}
  • Lefevre G, Looareesuwan S, Treeprasertsuk S, Krudsood S, Silachamroon U, Gathmann I, et al. A clinical and pharmacokinetic trial of six doses of artemether-lumefantrine for multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Thailand. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2001;64(5-6):247-56.
Lefevre 2002 {published data only}
  • Lefevre G, Carpenter P, Souppart C, Schmidli H, Martin JM, Lane A, et al. Interaction trial between artemether-lumefantrine (Riamet) and quinine in healthy subjects. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2002;42(10):1147-58.
Mayxay 2004 {published data only}
  • Mayxay M, Khanthavong M, Lindegardh N, Keola S, Barends M, Pongvongsa T, et al. Randomized comparison of chloroquine plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine versus artesunate plus mefloquine versus artemether-lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2004;39(8):1139-47.
Mutabingwa 2005 {published data only}
  • Mutabingwa TK, Anthony D, Heller A, Hallett R, Ahmed J, Drakeley C, et al. Amodiaquine alone, amodiaquine+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, amodiaquine+artesunate, and artemether-lumefantrine for outpatient treatment of malaria in Tanzanian children: a four-arm randomised effectiveness trial. Lancet 2005;365(9469):1474-80.
Ndayiragije 2004 {published data only}
  • Ndayiragije A, Niyungeko D, Karenzo J, Niyungeko E, Barutwanayo M, Ciza A, et al. Efficacy of therapeutic combinations with artemisinin derivatives in the treatment of non complicated malaria in Burundi [Efficacité de combinaisons thérapeutiques avec des dérivés de l'artémisinine dans le traitement de l'accès palustre non-complique au Burundi]. Tropical Medicine & International Health 2004;9(6):673-9.
    Direct Link:
Piola 2005 {published data only}
  • Piola P, Fogg C, Bajunirwe F, Biraro S, Grandesso F, Ruzagira E, et al. Supervised versus unsupervised intake of six-dose artemether-lumefantrine for treatment of acute, uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mbarara, Uganda: a randomised trial. Lancet 2005;365(9469):1467-73.
Popov 2002 {published data only}
  • Popov AF, Morokov VS, Chirkov VP, Popova NI, Lama N. Efficacy of mefloquine, halofantrine, and coarteme in the treatment of tropical malaria. Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia i Parazitarnye Bolezni 2002;Jan-Mar(1):28-9.
Stohrer 2004 {published data only}
  • Stohrer JM, Dittrich S, Thongpaseuth V, Vanisaveth V, Phetsouvanh R, Phompida S, et al. Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-mefloquine for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Luang Namtha Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic. Tropical Medicine & International Health 2004;9(11):1175-83.
    Direct Link:
Sun 2000 {published data only}
  • Sun ZW, Shan CQ, Li GF, Ding DB, Liu GY, Wang JY, et al. Clinical comparative trial of co-artemether and benflumetol (two formulations) in the treatment of falciparum malaria. Zhongguo Ji Sheng Chong Xue Yu Ji Sheng Chong Bing Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Parasitology & Parasitic Diseases] 2000;18(3):159-61.
Sutherland 2005 {published data only}
  • Sutherland CJ, Ord R, Dunyo S, Jawara M, Drakeley CJ, Alexander N, et al. Reduction of malaria transmission to anopheles mosquitoes with a six-dose regimen of co-artemether. PLoS Medicine 2005;2(4):338-49.
Van Agtmael 1999b {published data only}
  • Van Agtmael MA, Cheng-Qi S, Qing JX, Mull R, van Boxtel CJ. Multiple dose pharmacokinetics of artemether in Chinese patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents 1999;12(2):151-8.
Van Vugt 2000 {published data only}
  • Van Vugt M, Ezzet F, Nosten F, Gathmann I, Wilairatana P, Looareesuwan S, et al. No evidence of cardiotoxicity during antimalarial treatment with artemether-lumefantrine. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1999;61(6):964-7.
  • Van Vugt M, Looareesuwan S, Wilairatana P, McGready R, Villegas L, Gathmann I, et al. Artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2000;94(5):545-8.
Von Seidlein 1997 {published data only}
  • Von Seidlein L, Jaffer S, Pinder M, Haywood M, Snounou G, Gemperli B, et al. Treatment of African children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria with a new antimalarial drug, CGP 56697. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1997;176(4):1113-6.
Zhiwei 1999 {published data only}
  • Zhiwei S, Chengqi S, Guofu L, Jingyan W, Deben D, Guangyu L, et al. Treatment effects of Co-artemether and Benflumetol capsule in naturally occuring falciparum malaria patients. Journal of Practical Parasitic Diseases 1999;7(2):49-51.

Additional references

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Bindschedler 2000
  • Bindschedler M, Lefevre G, Ezzet F, Schaffer N, Meyer I, Thomsen MS. Cardiac effects of co-artemether (artemether/lumefantrine) and mefloquine given alone or in combination to healthy volunteers. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2000;56(5):375-81.
Bloland 2000
Ezzet 1998
  • Ezzet F, Mull R, Karbwang J. Population pharmacokinetics and therapeutic response of CGP 56697 (artemether + benflumetol) in malaria patients. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 1998;46(6):553-61.
    Direct Link:
Higgins 2005
  • Higgins J, Green S, editors. Highly sensitive search strategies for identifying reports of randomized controlled trials in MEDLINE. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 4.2.5 [updated May 2005]; Appendix 5b. http://www.cochrane.org/resources/handbook/hbook.htm (accessed 1 October 2005).
Jüni 2001
Nosten 2003
  • Nosten F. Letters to the Editor. The Newsletter of the East African Network for Monitoring Antimalarial Treatment 2003;6(1):10.
Novartis 1999
  • Novartis. A novel antimalarial combination: one product, two concepts Coartem / Riamet. Product monograph. Basel, Switzerland: Novartis Pharma AG, 1999.
Novartis 2005
  • Novartis. Coartem monograph. 4th Edition. Basel: Novartis Pharma AG, 2005.
Omari 2005
  • Omari AAA, Gamble C, Garner P. Artemether-lumefantrine (six doses) for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. [DOI: ]
Review Manager 5
  • The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration. Review Manager (RevMan). 5.0. Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2008.
ter Kuile 1995
  • ter Kuile FO, Luxemburger C, Nosten F, Thwai KL, Chongsuphajaisiddhi T, White NJ. Predictors of mefloquine treatment failure: a prospective study of 1590 patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Transactions of the Royal Society of Medicine and Hygiene 1995;89(6):660-4.
Van Vugt 1998b
  • Van Vugt M, Nosten F, Price RN, Looareesuwan S, White NJ. Antimalarial drug resistance: Treatment and prevention. Proceedings of the Second European Congress on Tropical Medicine. 1998 Sept 14-18; Liverpool (UK). 1998:Abstract 463.
White 1999a
White 1999b
WHO 1994
  • World Health Organization. Division of Control of Tropical Diseases. Antimalarial drug policies: data requirements, treatment of uncomplicated malaria and management of malaria in pregnancy. Report of an informal consultation, Geneva, 14-18 March 1994. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1994. [: WHO/MAL/94.1070]
WHO 1996
  • World Health Organization. Division of Control of Tropical Diseases. Assessment of therapeutic efficacy of antimalarial drugs: for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in areas with intense transmission. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1996. [: WHO/MAL/96.1077]
WHO 1999
  • World Health Organization. Department of Communicable Disease Research and Development. WHO informal consultation on clinical neurological investigations required for patients treated with artemisinin compounds and derivatives. Report of an informal consultation convened by WHO, Geneva, 20 July 1998. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1998. [: TDR/TDF/99.1]
WHO 2000a
  • World Health Organization. WHO Expert Committee on Malaria (1998 : Geneva, Switzerland). WHO expert committee on malaria: twentieth report. World Health Organization Technical Report Series 2000; Vol. 892.
WHO 2000b
  • World Health Organization. Communicable Diseases Cluster. Severe falciparum malaria. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2000;94(Suppl 1):1-90.
WHO 2001a
  • World Health Organization. Office of Press and Public Relations. WHO and Novartis join forces to combat drug resistant malaria. http://www.who.int/inf-pr-2001/en/pr2001-26.html (accessed 23 May 2001).
WHO 2001b
  • World Health Organization. Global Partnership to Roll Back Malaria. The use of antimalarial drugs. Report of a WHO informal consultation, 13-17 November 2000. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2001. [: WHO/CDS/RBM/2001.33]
WHO 2007
  • World Health Organization. WHO Essential Medicines Library: artemether + lumefantrine. www.who.int/emlib/ March 2007 (accessed 18 July 2008).

References to other published versions of this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. Additional references
  4. References to other published versions of this review
Omari 2002
  • Omari AAA, Gamble C, Garner P. Artemether-lumefantrine for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002, Issue 3. [DOI: ]
Omari 2003
  • Omari AAA, Gamble C, Garner P. Artemether-lumefantrine for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 2. [DOI: ]
Omari 2004
View Full Article (HTML) Summary (57K)Standard (354K)Full (426K)