Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO recommendations on adolescent health: guidelines approved by the WHO guidelines review committee
Year of Publication2017
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
Revised dose recommendation for dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine in young children: Children weighing <25kg treated with dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine should receive a minimum of 2.5 mg/kg bw per day of dihydroartemisinin and 20 mg/ kg bw per day of piperaquine daily for 3 days.
Recommended in favor
Strong
Notes and Remarks
- 1)Piperaquine prolongs the QT interval by approximately the same amount as chloroquine but by less than quinine.
- 2)It is not necessary to perform an electrocardiogram before prescribing dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine, but this ACT should not be used in patients with congenital QT prolongation or who have a clinical condition or are on medications that prolong the QT interval.
- 3)There has been no evidence of cardiotoxicity in large randomized trials or in extensive deployment.