Pooled Multicenter Analysis of Cardiovascular Safety and Population Pharmacokinetic Properties of Piperaquine in African Patients with Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria
Wattanakul T., Ogutu B., Kabanywanyi AM., Asante K-P., Oduro A., Adjei A., Sie A., Sevene E., Macete E., Compaore G., Valea I., Osei I., Winterberg M., Gyapong M., Adjuik M., Abdulla S., Owusu-Agyei S., White NJ., Day NPJ., Tinto H., Baiden R., Binka F., Tarning J.
Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine has shown excellent efficacy and tolerability in malaria treatment. However, concerns have been raised of potentially harmful cardiotoxic effects associated with piperaquine. The population pharmacokinetics and cardiac effects of piperaquine were evaluated in 1,000 patients, mostly children enrolled in a multicenter trial from 10 sites in Africa. A linear relationship described the QTc-prolonging effect of piperaquine, estimating a 5.90-ms mean QTc prolongation per 100-ng/ml increase in piperaquine concentration.