Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO recommendations on adolescent health: guidelines approved by the WHO guidelines review committee
Year of Publication2017
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
New
(Treat children and adults with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria (except pregnant women in their first trimester) Duration of ACT treatment: ACT regimens should provide 3 days treatment with an artemisinin derivative.
Recommended in favor
Strong
Certainty of evidence
High
Notes and Remarks
- 1)A 3-day course of the artemisinin component of ACTs covers two asexual cycles, ensuring that only a small fraction of parasites remain for clearance by the partner drug, thus reducing the potential development of resistance to the partner drug.
- 2)Shorter courses (1–2 days) are therefore not recommended, as they are less effective, have less effect on gametocytes and provide less protection for the slowly eliminated partner drug.