Efficacy of Halofantrine Hydrochloride in Vivax Malaria

Abstract

To determine the efficacy of Halofantrine Hydrocholoride in plasmodium vivax positive malaria. This study was conducted at DHQH timergara, from january to December 2003 and DTHQ DI Khan from janaury to Decebmer 2004. Patients presenting with fever and a laboaratory diagnosis of plasmodium vivax in their blood were included in the study. Halofantrine Hydrochloride in tablet form was given in a dose of 500mg at six hourly intervals for three doses. temperature record was kept and peripheral smear for malarial parasite vivax was done after 12 hours of the dose of Halofantrine and therafter after every 24 hours for three consecutive days and again after 14 and 21 days for possibility of relapse. Halofantrine, though a convenient drug has an efficacy of only 46.8%, a repalse rate of 3.7% and a failure of 53.21%. It should therefore be used with caution as malaria is a deadly disease.