Question
Artemisinin based combination therapy in Malaria
Answer
Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) pairs a rapidly-acting artemisinin derivative with a longer-acting partner drug.
Rationale: the artemisinin component (Artesunate, Artemether) rapidly and substantially reduces parasite biomass within the first few days, while the longer-acting partner (Lumefantrine, Mefloquine) clears the remaining, lower-density parasite population over its longer half-life — reducing the risk of resistance emerging to either component alone, the same combination-therapy resistance-prevention logic used in TB and HIV therapy.
Example regimen: Artemether + Lumefantrine, given twice daily for 3 days.
Use: first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in most endemic regions, given widespread chloroquine resistance.