Tafenoquine: Single-Dose Treatment to Prevent Relapse of Vivax Malaria

Single-dose tafenoquine given with chloroquine was more efficacious than chloroquine alone in preventing vivax malaria relapse.

Primaquine is the only drug licensed for eradication of hypnozoites, the parasite stage responsible for Plasmodium vivax malaria relapse. In addition to causing hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)–deficient individuals, primaquine requires 14 days of treatment, so adherence is a concern. Seeking an alternative, investigators developed a synthetic analogue, tafenoquine, with a long half-life, permitting single-dose treatment.

To assess the dose-response, safety, and tolerability of standard chloroquine plus tafenoquine, researchers (with industry support) conducted a dose-ranging, randomized, phase IIB trial among adults with microscopically confirmed Plasmodium vivax monoinfection. Those with G6PD <70% were excluded. Patien…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Tafenoquine: Single-Dose Treatment to Prevent Relapse of Vivax Malaria

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Reviewing Author