Fosmidomycin for malaria

Lancet. 2002 Dec 14;360(9349):1941-2. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11860-5.

Abstract

Safe and effective antimalarial drugs with new methods of action are urgently needed. Fosmidomycin inhibits the synthesis of isoprenoid by Plasmodium falciparum, and suppresses the growth of multidrug-resistant strains in vitro. Our aim was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of fosmidomycin in adults with malaria in Gabon. We administered the drug for 5, 4, or 3 days (1.2 g every 8 h), in nine, eight, and ten evaluable patients, respectively. All treatment regimens were well tolerated. Cure rates by day 14 were 89% (eight of nine), 88% (seven of eight), and 60% (six of ten), for treatment durations of 5, 4, and 3 days, respectively. These data suggest that fosmidomycin is a safe and effective treatment for uncomplicated malaria if given for 4 days or more.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Fosfomycin / administration & dosage
  • Fosfomycin / adverse effects
  • Fosfomycin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Fosfomycin / therapeutic use*
  • Gabon
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Plasmodium falciparum / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fosfomycin
  • fosmidomycin