Artesunate

Indications

Malaria

Artex is a powerful antimalarial drug from the artemisinin group. It can be used in both adults and children. It is prescribed for the following conditions. Severe and complicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, in adults and children, in areas where the parasite has become resistant to several antimalarial medicines. Uncomplicated malaria in places where multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum is common. Artex tablets are also used to rescue patients with pernicious malaria, and to treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

Artesunate is converted in the body to its active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin (DHA). DHA's endoperoxide bridge reacts with heme, generating free radicals that inhibit protein and nucleic acid synthesis in Plasmodium parasites at all stages of the erythrocytic cycle. These free radicals can also alkylate parasitic proteins, including a calcium adenosine triphosphatase and EXP1, a glutathione S-transferase.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

A WHO review of the safety of artemisinin derivatives in pregnancy concluded that these drugs should remain available for treating malaria in pregnancy, whatever the trimester. WHO also said that more study is still needed. So Artesunate tablet can be given to pregnant women, especially in the first trimester, if a Registered Physician recommends it.

Like many other drugs, artesunate may pass into breast milk. Because it could harm a nursing baby, breastfeeding should be stopped while the malaria treatment with Artesunate tablet is going on.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Artesunate tablets are given by mouth. The doses below are the ones stated for each tablet strength. For the Artesunate 50 mg tablet, adults take two tablets twice on the first day, then one tablet twice daily for the next four days (4, 2, 2, 2, 2). For ages 1 to 3 years, the course is 3 tablets over 5 days (1, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2). At 4 to 5 years it is 6 tablets over 5 days (2, 1, 1, 1, 1), and at 6 to 12 years it is 8 tablets over 5 days (3, 2, 1, 1, 1). For the Artesunate 100 mg tablet, adults take one tablet twice on the first day, then half a tablet twice daily for the next four days (2, 1, 1, 1, 1). Ages 4 to 5 years get 3 tablets over 5 days (1, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2), and ages 6 to 12 years get 4 tablets over 5 days (1 1⁄2, 1, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2). Patients older than 12 years should be given the same dose as adults. To prevent malaria, the dose is two Artesunate 50 mg tablets (or one Artesunate 100 mg tablet) as a single dose once a week. Start one week before entering a malaria-affected area and continue until four weeks after leaving it.

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Indications

Pharmacology

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Dosage Reference

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

Key Interactions