Intramuscular arteether for treating severe malaria
Date
2004
Authors
Afolabi, B.B.
Okoromah, C.N
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cochrane Database Syst Rev
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Quinine and artemisinin drugs are used in severe malaria, but quinine resistance is increasing. Arteether is a recently developed artemisinin derivative that is oil soluble, has a long elimination half life, and is more stable than other derivatives.
Objectives: To compare intramuscular arteether with other antimalarial drugs to treat severe malaria.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register (August 2004), CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2004), EMBASE (1980 to August 2004), U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) Gateway (1953 to 1965), Web Science Citation (1981 to August 2004), LILACS (August 2004), Google search engine (August 2004), conference proceedings, and reference lists. We also contacted researchers, organizations, and pharmaceutical companies to help identify trials.
Selection criteria: Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials of intramuscular arteether in adults and children with severe malaria.
Data collection and analysis: We independently assessed the methodological quality of the trials and extracted data, and analysed data using Review Manager 4.2.
Main results: Two small trials (n = 194) met the inclusion criteria. Both trials compared arteether with quinine in children with cerebral malaria and reported on similar outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of deaths (relative risk 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.43 to 1.30; n = 194, 2 trials), neurological complications (relative risk 1.18, 95% confidence interval 0.31 to 4.46; n = 58, 1 trial), or other outcomes including time to regain consciousness, parasite clearance time, and fever clearance time. The meta-analyses lack statistical power to detect important differences.
Reviewers' conclusions: More trials with a larger number of participants are needed before a firm conclusion about the efficacy and safety of arteether can be reached.
Description
Staff Publications
Keywords
Quinine resistance , Arteether , Malaria , Antimalaria drugs
Citation
Afolabi, B.B., & Okoromah CN. Intramuscular arteether for treating severe malaria. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004 Oct 18;(4)