New artemisinin-based malaria medication - effectiviness and application

Through a significant increase of multidrug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum worldwide, new effective treatment is urgently needed. Since 2006 artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Since October 2011 a new ACT is approved in Germany, a combination of Dihydroartemisinin and Piperaquine (Eurartesim (R)). Eurartesim (R) is a highly efficious, well tolerated and safe antimalarial treatment option, but special advices are necessary. During therapy with Eurartesim (R) significant prolongation of the QTc-interval were observed, therefore an ECG-monitoring is required. Furthermore, Eurartesim (R) is contraindicated for patients with known QTc prolongation, with a history of symptomatic - arrhythmia or clinically significant bradycardia, as well as for patients with any kind of cardiac disease which may predispose for arrhythmia. Special - attention has to be put on possible concomitant medication, which may cause a QTc prolongation.