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molecule

Artesunate

Molecule Description

Artesunate is an antimalarial agent. It is available as a tablet or an injectio

n (intramuscular or intravenous). It is a critical medicine that is used to treat severe and complicated forms of malaria in children and adults.

uses

Uses of Artesunate

Artesunate is useful for the treatment of severe malaria caused by a particular species of the malarial parasite - Plasmodium Falciparum.
contraindications

Contraindications of Artesunate

When should one not use Artesunate

This medicine is not for patients who are allergic to Artesunate or any of its components.
sideEffects

Side effects of Artesunate

Common side effects of this drug are:

  • Fever
  • Dizziness, feeling light-headed, headache, sleeping problems, ringing in the ears
  • Cough, running nose
  • Decreased hunger, feeling sick (nausea), altered taste, loose motions
  • Rashes, itching, redness, skin eruptions, hair loss, muscle pains and disorders, fatigue, generalized discomfort, pain at injection site
  • Heart problems (with high doses)
  • Allergic reactions, low blood cell counts, liver and pancreas problems
precautionsAndWarnings

Precautions and Warnings of Artesunate

pregnancy

Pregnancy

Q:
Can I take Artesunate during pregnancy?
A:
  • Artesunate is not recommended for use during the first trimester (first three months) of pregnancy as it can cause new growth defects. It can be used in the second and third trimesters (last six month...
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  • As Artesunate is used to certain severe, life-threatening forms of malaria, its use should not be withheld in pregnancy if the mother’s life is in danger.
breastfeeding

Breast Feeding

Q:
Can I take Artesunate while breastfeeding?
A:
Minimal amount of Artesunate secretes in breast milk. It can be given to breastfeeding mothers, but it is recommended to wait for 6 hours after taking Artesunate before feeding breast milk to the baby.
driving

Driving

Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed Artesunate?
A:
It is unknown if Artesunate can affect your ability to drive. You may drive if you feel better clinically (feel well and not sick).
alcohol

Alcohol

Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Artesunate?
A:
It is advised to limit your alcohol consumption as Artesunate is used to treat some of the severe forms of malaria, and alcohol may interfere with the process of healing. Mild alcohol consumption is allowed in uncomplicated malaria.
otherGeneralWarnings

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if
  • You experience the destruction of red blood cells (post-artmesinin hemolytic anemia) after stopping the treatment is rare but important complication.
  • A patient who has completed the treatment has to be monitored up to 4 weeks after completion. This condition usually occurs in patients who had a high parasite load.
modeOfAction

Mode of Action of Artesunate

How Does It Work?

Artesunate penetrates the red blood cells of the body, which contain the malarial parasite and kills the parasite by interfering with an important enzyme needed for its survival. Artesunate acts rapid...
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interactions

Interactions of Artesunate

Interactions with other medicines

  • Artesunate shows enhanced antimalarial action with Mefloquine, Primaquine, and Tetracycline
  • It has additive effect with Chloroquine
  • It reduces the impact of Pyrimethamine and Sulfonamides

Interactions with food items

Not much information is available on interactions of Artesunate when taken with food, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.
dietaryRestrictions

Dietary Restrictions of Artesunate

No information is available on dietary restrictions while you are taking Artesunate, consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.
dosage

Dosage of Artesunate

Overdose

An unintentional overdose of Artesunate may not be harmful. But high overdose can cause seizures (fits), blood in stools, low blood cell counts, and in some cases, may affect multiple organs. Seek imm...
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Missed a Dose

  • If you are being treated with Artesunate injection, and if you happen to miss the dose, remind your doctor/nurse of the forgotten dose
  • In case of a tablet, take the missed dose as early as you remember. If your next dose is less than 6 hours away, skip the missed dose, and continue with the next dose as per schedule
  • Do not take a higher dose or double dose to make up for the missed dose

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Q: Is there anything else I should know before taking Artesunate?

  • Generally, Artesunate is administered as an injection and is then switched to tablets.
  • For the injection, the required dose needs to be calculated carefully based on the weight of the patient. It is better to discuss with the doctor or the pharmacist about the exact dosage and administe...
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  • The injection is available as a powder in a vial, which is then needed to mix with 1mL of Sodium Bicarbonate solution provided with the package. Wait for some time, like 5-10 minutes.
  • If the injection is to administer intravenously, mix 5mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride, and shake the 6mL solution vigorously till the solution is clear. Withdraw this solution with a syringe and should be ...
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  • In the case of intramuscular injection, mix the original 1mL solution with 2mL of 0.9% Sodium Chloride and shake the resulting 3mL solution vigorously till the solution is clear. Then it should be inj...
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  • Do not use water to mix with the powder. Use the mixed (reconstituted) solution within 1 hour.

Q: Is Artesunate a safe medicine for Malaria?

  • Injectable Artesunate is a life-saving medicine that is used to treat severe malaria and is on the essential medicines list of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is also beneficial in traveler’s ...
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  • This medicine is proved to be a safe medicine with relatively low side effects in both children and adults. It is one of the mainstays of treatment of severe malaria (due to Plasmodium falciparum) in ...
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Last Updated on: 05 Oct 2020 | 10:47 PM (IST)

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The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here  for detailed T&C.
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