Halofantrine microbiology

Halofantrine

HALFAN® FDA Package Insert
Description
Clinical Pharmacology
Microbiology
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings and Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Overdosage
Dosage and Administration
How Supplied

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

## Microbiology

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Halofantrine is a blood schizonticidal antimalarial agent with no apparent action on the sporozoite, gametocyte or hepatic stages of the infection. The exact mechanism of its action is unknown. The primary metabolite, n-desbutyl halofantrine, and the parent compound are equally active in vitro.

While in vitro studies indicate that there may be cross-resistance between halofantrine and mefloquine, the clinical data do not support this view. No significant correlation between halofantrine and mefloquine resistance was observed in clinical trials.

#### Clinical Trials

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In controlled clinical trials involving 90 non-immune patients with malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum, treatment with Halfan (500 mg every 6 hours for three doses on days 0 and 7) had a cure rate of 99%. Patients were followed for 28 days or more after initiation of treatment.

In trials involving 583 acute malaria patients, the majority of whom were semi-immune, treatment with Halfan (500 mg every 6 hours for three doses) produced a cure rate of 90% against Plasmodium falciparum infection (n=512), and a cure rate of 99% against Plasmodium vivax (n=71).[1]

## References

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1. ↑ "http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2002/20250s7s8lbl.pdf" (PDF). External link in `|title=` (help)

Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.