Randomized controlled trial of artemotil (beta-arteether) in Zambian children with cerebral malaria

The efficacy and safety of intramuscular artemotil (ARTECEF') was compared to intravenous quinine in African children with cerebral malaria. This pros pective block randomized open-label study was conducted at two centers in Z ambia. Subjects were children aged 0 to 10 years of age with cerebral malar ia and a Blantyre Coma Score of 2 or less. Ninety two children were studied ; 48 received artemotil and 44 quinine. No significant differences in survi val, coma resolution time, neurologic sequelae, parasite clearance time, an d fever resolution time were seen between the two regimens. Rates for negat ive malaria smears one month after therapy were similar in both groups. Art emotil was a well-tolerated drug in the 48 patients in this study. It appea rs to be at least therapeutically equivalent to quinine for the treatment o f pediatric cerebral malaria. It has the advantage of being able to be give n intramuscularly once daily for only five days.