Clinical and laboratory assessment of antimalarial drug efficacy in Lao PDR: an open, randomised comparison of artesunate plus mefloquine versus dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (Artekin) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN32978789

Enrollment

220

Registered

2005-07-22

Start date

2004-05-20

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2015-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Uncomplicated falciparum malaria Infections and Infestations Malaria

Interventions

1. Oral Artesunate-Mefloquine (AM) 2. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (Artekin)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Patients or their guardians gave fully informed written consent 2. Had a density of asexual P. falciparum of 1000 to 200,000 per microlitre of blood 3. Were aged more than one year 4. Had an axillary temperature of more than 37.5°C or history of fever in the previous three days 5. Were likely to stay in the hospital until parasite clearance and complete the 42-day follow up period

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Pregnant or lactating women 2. Patients who took a full course of any antimalarials in the previous three days 3. Patients with signs of severe malaria 4. Those with history of allergy or contraindication to the study drugs

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Parasitological and clinical responses to treatment.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Parasite and fever clearance times 2. Gametocytaemia 3. Changes in haematocrit following antimalarial treatment	—

Countries

Laos

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026