Single-Dose Tafenoquine Prevents Vivax Relapse

Tafenoquine can be given safely after appropriate G6PD testing and results in about 70% lower vivax recurrence than placebo.

Both primaquine and the recently approved tafenoquine can clear dormant liver-stage (hypnozoites) malaria parasites and prevent relapses (NEJM JW Infect Dis Oct 2018). Both drugs also cause hemolysis in people with deficiency in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). In two partially or fully manufacturer-funded studies, researchers assessed safety and efficacy of tafenoquine and primaquine in malaria endemic regions where participants were at risk for reinfection during follow-up.

Lacerda and colleagues conducted a placebo-controlled trial in Ethiopia, Peru, Brazil, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines enrolling 522 patients with vivax malaria and G6PD levels >70% normal. Patients were randomly assigned to single-dose tafenoquine, pla…

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

Single-Dose Tafenoquine Prevents Vivax Relapse

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Reviewing Author