November 2017 Vol. 5 No.11

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Original Research Article

Monitoring the Efficacy of two Brands of Artemether-Lumefantrine by estimating Malaria Parasite density Using Actual White blood Cell Count in Adults in Port Harcourt

Lucky L. Nwidu^1*, Baribefe M. Bagbi² and Ette O. Ettebong³

¹Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, East West Road, Rivers State, Nigeria.
²Department of Clinical Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, East West Road, Rivers State, Nigeria.
³Dept. of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: menelucky@yahoo.com

Accepted November 19, 2017

Abstract

Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) have been widely adopted and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. Safety and tolerability of this drug is proven but efficacy from various brands is doubtful and patients reported outcome of efficacy with different brands is limited and need continuous assessment. An assumed WBCs count of 8000/µL rather than actual WBC count is accepted as reasonably accurate in estimating malaria parasite densities due to the challenge to accurately determine WBCs count in relation to parasite density. The parasites density from the former is disadvantage with overestimation of parasite load. This study compared the efficacy of two brands of Artemether/Lumefantrine, Amartem forte and Lynsunate forte tablets, by evaluating malaria parasites clearance per drug. Two groups of patients totaling 67 with clinical symptoms of malaria who reported to pharmacies to fill their prescriptions were assessed for level of malaria parasitaemia and white blood cells count per microlitre of blood prior to, and after the administration of two different drug products. Thirty two patients took Amatemforte while 35 received Lynsunateforte tablets. Patients were confirmed not to be on any other antimalarial drug prior to the administration of these drug products and were monitored for compliance throughout the treatment period. The results indicates that26 % of participants on Lynsunate forte had complete parasite clearance and the percentage parasite clearance in male and female are 86.3% and 92.5% respectively. For Amatem forte, 6.25 % of participants had complete parasite clearance while 89.4 % and 91.1 % parasites clearance were obtained for male and female participants. Overall, Lynsunate forte demonstrate greater parasite clearance in the study population justifying their high patronage as first-line antimalarial drugs than Amatem forte.

Keywords: Malaria, Artemether-lumefanthrin, Amatem forte, Lynsunate forte, efficacy