Artemisinin-based combination therapy + primaquine

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) plus primaquine is a regimen used for the treatment and transmission reduction of malaria, particularly *Plasmodium falciparum*. ACTs combine a fast-acting artemisinin derivative (such as artesunate, artemether, or dihydroartemisinin) with a longer-acting partner drug (such as lumefantrine, mefloquine, amodiaquine, piperaquine). Artemisinins rapidly reduce parasite biomass in the blood by generating reactive oxygen species that damage parasite proteins and membranes. The partner drug clears residual parasites and helps prevent resistance development[1][3][6]. Primaquine is an 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial that targets gametocytes—the sexual stage of the parasite—thereby reducing transmission to mosquitoes[2][4]. The addition of a single low dose of primaquine to ACT is recommended by WHO in elimination settings to block transmission but should be avoided in pregnant women and infants under one year due to risk of hemolysis in individuals with G6PD deficiency[2]. This regimen does not have a single developer or manufacturer; various pharmaceutical companies produce different ACT formulations and generic primaquine.

Brand names

RiametDuo-Cotecxin

Other names

ACT + primaquineartemisinin combination therapy + primaquine