The efficacy of halofantrine in the treatment of acute malaria in nonimmune travelers

A multicenter prospective trial was performed to investigate the
efficacy and the tolerability of halofantrine in nonimmune patients
with malaria imported from areas with drug-resistant falciparum
parasites (mainly Africa). Forty-five of the 74 subjects were
treated with a one-day regimen (3 x 500 mg) of halofantrine, and
the other 29 received the same regimen with an additional treatment
on day 7. In the second group, a 100% efficacy rate was
demonstrated, but in the group receiving the one-day regimen, four
recrudescences were observed in patients with falciparum malaria.
Only five mild adverse reactions were seen, which disappeared
spontaneously after the end of the treatment. We conclude that
halofantrine is highly effective in curing malaria in nonimmune
subjects. The treatment scheme for such persons should include an
additional treatment on day 7 for nonimmune individuals. This drug
was well tolerated in our patients, indicating that halofantrine
will be useful in the treatment of multidrug-resistant malaria in
nonimmune persons.