Halofantrine dosage and administration

Halofantrine
HALFAN® FDA Package Insert
Description
Clinical Pharmacology
Microbiology
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings and Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Drug Interactions
Overdosage
Dosage and Administration
How Supplied

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Dosage and Administration

(See INDICATIONS AND USAGE.)

Halfan should be given on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. (See WARNINGS.) The recommended dosage regimen to treat adults able to tolerate oral medications, who have mild to moderate malaria caused by P. falciparum or P. vivax is:

Non-immune Patients

Patients with no previous exposure or minimal exposure to malaria should be considered “non-immune.” These patients should receive 500 mg (2 x 250 mg tablets) of halofantrine hydrochloride every 6 hours for three doses (total first course dosage 1500 mg). This course of therapy should be repeated 7 days after the first course.

Semi-immune Patients

Patients with a history of life-long residence in endemic areas and a clear history of recent previous malaria caused by the same Plasmodium species may be considered semi- immune. In these patients, omitting the second course of therapy may be considered. Clinical trials in semi-immune patients have utilized this one-course regimen with satisfactory efficacy and safety.

Hepatic or Renally Impaired Patients

There is no information on dosing alterations needed because of hepatic or renal impairment.

References

Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.