Potential toxicity of chlorpheniramine plus chloroquine for the treatment of childhood malaria

A. D.A. Adedapo, O. G. Ademowo, K. S. Adedapo, K. Demissie, O. Y.O. Osinubi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the adverse effects of two regimens of chlorpheniramine plus chloroquine (CP+CQ) in children who live in a country where chloroquine resistant malaria is endemic. Methods: 99 children with acute uncomplicated malaria were randomised into two treatment groups. Group I received high dose chlorpheniramine (6mg +12mg/day for 7days in children = 5years; 8mg + 18mg/day for 7 days in those >5years) plus chloroquine 10mg/kg daily for 3 days. Group II received a 50% higher dose of chlorpheniramine plus chloroquine 10mg/kg daily for 3 days. Outcome measures were vital signs, clinical response and parasite clearance on days 0-7 and day 14. Results: Parasite clearance, fever clearance and cure rate were comparable for the two groups. Drowsiness occurred in 66.7% of high dose and 86.3% of higher dose CP+CQ subjects (p = 0.05). Compared to children treated with high dose, those treated with higher dose CP+CQ had significantly lower respiratory rates on day 2 (p = 0.001),day 6(p = 0.015),and on day 14(p = 0.003). Conclusion: The higher rates of drowsiness and lower respiratory rates in children treated with higher dose CP+CQ calls for caution in the clinical application of the higher dose combination. The higher dose has no additional benefit and may in fact be dangerous.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)252-257
Number of pages6
JournalNigerian Journal of Clinical Practice
Volume12
Issue number3
StatePublished - Sep 2009

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

Keywords

  • Adverse effects
  • Chloroquine resistant malaria
  • Chlorpheniramine-chloroquine
  • Drowsiness
  • Respiratory depression
  • Treatment

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