An open label randomized comparison of mefloquine–artesunate as separate tablets vs. a new co‐formulated combination for the treatment of uncomplicated multidrug‐resistant falciparum malaria in Thailand

Background  Delivering drugs in a fixed combination is essential to the success of the strategy of artemisinin‐based combination therapy. This prevents one drug being taken without the protection of the other, reducing the chance of emergence and spread of drug resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. A lower tablet burden should also facilitate adherence to treatment. A new fixed combination of mefloquine plus artesunate has been developed. This was compared with the conventional regimen of separate tablets for the treatment of uncomplicated multidrug‐resistant falciparum malaria.