Lamivudine-Artesunate Co Administration Alters Piroxicam Mediated Analgesia in Mice

Abstract

SUMMARYLamivudine-Artesunate co-administration is common in HIV-malaria settings, as well as in prophylaxis for occupational HIV exposure and presumptive malaria treatment. Pain is a symptom often associated with malaria and HIV which is usually treated with piroxicam due to availability, affordability, and low addiction potential. This study evaluated possible analgesic effects of lamivudine and artesunate, and also the effect of lamivudine-artesunate co-administration on piroxicam mediated analgesia in mice using acetic acid induced writhing method. Animals received 21 day intraperitoneal treatments with vehicle, lamivudine, artesunate or lamivudine/artesunate co administration. The result showed that artesunate possessed analgesic properties, and that piroxicam mediated analgesia was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the presence of concomitant lamivudine-artesunate treatment. This data suggests the need for caution and possible alternate analgesics while on lamivudine-artesunate therapy in order to effectively alleviate pain, when this is desired with lamivudine-artesunate co administration.