Naphthoquine Azithromycin combo effective option for Malaria Prophylaxis, finds study

Naphthoquine - Azithromycin co-formulation given as monthly prophylaxis can be well tolerated, safe and effective for preventing plasmodium infections, finds a recent study. The study was published in the journal, ' Clinical Infectious Diseases' 2020.

Much effort is being done to achieve aggressive control in highly endemic countries, to eradicate malaria and, to achieve low transmission so that substantial reduction in morbidity and mortality can be achieved.

Researchers from China and USA did a combined trial on a prophylactic antimalarial drug that is both effective for protection and which improves compliance. They conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, phase-3 trial to evaluate the 1:1 fixed-dose combination of naphthoquine-azithromycin (NQAZ) co formulation for safety and protection against Plasmodium infections in villages along the China-Myanmar border. There were a total of 631 participants, who were from 5–65 years old. They were randomized into 2 groups, the drug group which had 319 participants and the placebo group which had 312 participants. They received NQAZ and placebo, respectively, as a single-dose monthly treatment. Weekly follow-ups were conducted to monitor any adverse events and also malaria infections.