Azithromycin Plus Chloroquine Versus Mefloquine for the Treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Africa

Pfizer

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 3

Phase 2

Conditions

Malaria, Falciparum

Treatments

Drug: Azithromycin/Chloroquine

Drug: Mefloquine

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00082576

A0661134

Details and patient eligibility

About

The primary objective is to confirm the hypothesis that azithromycin plus chloroquine is non-inferior to mefloquine for the treatment of symptomatic, uncomplicated malaria due to P. falciparum.

Enrollment

238 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Written informed consent of the subject or a legally authorized representative
Females and males
>= 18 years of age with uncomplicated, symptomatic malaria as indicated by the presence of both of the following: a.) Blood smears positive for Plasmodium falciparum monoinfection, with asexual parasitemia between 1000 -100,000 parasites/mL b.) Fever or history of fever (>= 38.5 C/101.2 F rectal or tympanic; >= 37.5 C/99.5 F axillary or >= 38 C/100.4 F oral) within the prior 24 hours
Serum glucose >= 60 mg/dL (by fingerstick or peripheral blood collection)
Rapid diagnostic test (Binax NOW ICT) positive for P. falciparum
Subjects must be willing to be treated in the inpatient setting for a minimum of three days
Women of childbearing potential must have a negative urine gonadotropin prior to entry into the study and must agree to use adequate contraception during the entire study

Exclusion criteria

Severe or complicated malaria including subjects with any of the following: a.) Impaired consciousness (e.g. obtundation, unarousable coma), seizures (any seizure within 24 hours prior to enrollment) or abnormal neurologic exam suggestive of severe or complicated malaria b.) Hemoglobinuria c.) Jaundice d.) Respiratory distress (respiratory rate >= 30/min) e.) Persistent vomiting f.) Hematuria, as reported by the patient
Presence of non-falciparum species on microscopy
Pregnant or breast-feeding women
History of allergy to or hypersensitivity to azithromycin or any macrolide, mefloquine or related compounds (e.g. quinine and quinidine), or chloroquine
Known or suspected folate deficiency
Known history of blood dyscrasias (e.g., megaloblastic anemia, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, hemolytic anemia)
Known G-6PD deficiency
History of epilepsy or psoriasis
History of treatment with any antimalarial drug (chloroquine, quinine, mefloquine, Malarone, SP, artemisinin compounds) or antibacterial with known antimalarial activity (macrolides, doxycycline, clindamycin) within 2 weeks prior to enrollment into the study
Known or suspected cardiovascular, hepatic or renal abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator would place the subject at increased risk to participate in the study. The following findings are specific exclusions: a.) Serum creatinine >2.0 x ULN b.) ALT and/or AST >3 x ULN
Active depression or a recent history of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia or other major psychiatric disorders
Inability to swallow oral medication in tablet form
Treatment with other investigational drugs within 30 days prior to enrollment into the study
Alcohol and/or any other drug abuse
Requirement to use medication during the study that might interfere with the evaluation of the study drug
Specific systemic diseases or other medical conditions that would interfere with the evaluation of the therapeutic response or safety of the study drug
Inability to comprehend and/or unwillingness to follow the study protocol
Prior participation in this study