Abstract

Current practice in treating cases of malaria is based around the concept of combination therapy, since this offers several advantages - reduced risk of treatment failure, reduced risk of developing resistance, enhanced convenience and reduced side-effects. The effect of the supplements vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) and orange fruit juice on the potency and efficacy of some selected anti-malaria drugs (Armact, Coartem, Waipa and Fansider) as a combination therapy were investigated. 80 patients (adults) infected with malaria parasites were used. The study showed that the simultaneous administration of the drugs with vitamin B2 did not alter the potency of the drugs, while orange fruit juice altered the efficacy of the drugs. Therefore, the concomitant administration of these anti-malaria drugs (combination therapies) with orange fruit juice should be avoided during the period of malaria treatment for the effectiveness of such drugs. The result of this study also showed that concomitant administration of Riboflavin with antimalarial drugs may possess potent antimalarial effects and may therefore offer a potential drug lead for development of a safe, effective and affordable antimalarial. Key words: Combination therapy, orange fruit juice, riboflavin, antimalarial.