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Artesunate

About

Artesunate belongs to the class of 'anti-malarial drugs', primarily used to treat malaria. Malaria is a disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a healthy person, it transmits the 'Plasmodium parasite' into the bloodstream, which affects the red blood cells and liver cells. Malaria symptoms usually start 10 days to 4 weeks after the infection. They include chills, high fever, profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, muscle pain, convulsions, coma, and bloody stools.

Artesunate contains ‘Artesunate’. This Artesunate is antimalarial medicine that interferes with the plasmodium parasite's growth in the red blood cells of the human body. Artesunate is used to treat malaria caused by a parasite called 'Plasmodium falciparum,' another plasmodium species.  It works by forming harmful chemicals within the malarial parasite, therefore killing the parasites.

Artesunate will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. You may experience dizziness, headache, weakness, and loss of appetite (not feeling hungry). Most of these side effects of Artesunate do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

Before using Artesunate, inform your doctor if you recently used any prescription and non-prescription medications, including other anti-malarial or antibiotic drugs. Let your doctor know if you are allergic to Artesunate or its components. Inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. It is essential to let your doctor know if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or are a breastfeeding mother. Artesunate causes drowsiness and dizziness it is advisable to avoid driving unless you are alert.

Uses of Artesunate

Malaria

Medicinal Benefits

Artesunate contains ‘Artesunate’. This Artesunate is antimalarial medicine that interferes with the plasmodium parasite's growth in the red blood cells of the human body. It is used to treat cerebral malaria and all kind of severe malaria. The antimalarial effect of Artesunate is commonly identified as generally safe, highly efficient and well-tolerated. Artesunate is used to treat malaria caused by a parasite called 'Plasmodium falciparum,' other plasmodium species.  It works by forming harmful chemicals within the malarial parasite, therefore killing the parasites.

Directions for Use

Artesunate will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Artesunate

  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Loss of appetite (not feeling hungry)

 

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

Inform your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to Artesunate or its components. Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems, or heart disease. Blood problems may occur after you receive treatment with this Artesunate. Inform your doctor immediately if you or your child have pain in the leg, back, or stomach, chills, bleeding gums, difficulty breathing, dark urine, general body swelling, fever, loss of appetite (feeling not hungry), headache, nosebleeds, nausea, or vomiting, sore throat, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow skin or eyes. Inform your doctor immediately if you or your child have chest tightness, blurred vision, cough, confusion, faintness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. When getting up unexpectedly from a sitting or lying position, skin rash, redness of the skin, itching, sweating, swelling of your face, hands, or mouth, trouble breathing or swallowing, or unusual weakness or tiredness after you receive this Artesunate. It is essential to let your doctor know if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or are a breastfeeding mother. Artesunate causes drowsiness and dizziness it is advisable to avoid driving unless you are alert.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interactions: Artesunate may interact with other anti-malarial drugs (mefloquine), medicines for HIV (pyrimethamine).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Artesunate, let your doctor know if you have an allergy, heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:

  • MEFLOQUINE
  • PYRIMETHAMINE
  • Safety Advice

    • Safety Warning

      Alcohol

      caution

      Avoid alcohol while using Artesunate since it can worsen your side effects.

    • Safety Warning

      Pregnancy

      unsafe

      Artesunate is not safe during pregnancy as it causes severe side effects to both mother and unborn baby.

    • Safety Warning

      Breast Feeding

      caution

      Artesunate is present in breast milk but may not be expected to cause any side effects in the new-born baby especially more than 2 months. Please use only in the condition if your doctor is prescribed.

    • Safety Warning

      Driving

      caution

      Artesunate may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or generally weak. In such cases, do not drive or operate machinery.

    • Safety Warning

      Liver

      caution

      Close monitoring of patients with liver diseases while being treated with Artesunate is required. Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Artesunate. No specific dose adjustments are needed.

    • Safety Warning

      Kidney

      caution

      Therapy with Artesunate is to be cautiously administered in patients with renal impairment. Let your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before using Artesunate. No specific dose adjustments are needed.

    • Safety Warning

      Children

      safe if prescribed

      Artesunate is safely given to the children 6 months or older.

    Habit Forming

    No

    Diet & Lifestyle Advise

    • Take nutritious food, including fresh fruits and vegetables that help in recovering from malarial fever.
    • During malarial fever, the patient may experience appetite loss. In such cases, drink glucose water, fresh fruit juices, and coconut water.
    • Include high-fiber foods like green leafy vegetables and fruits to aid digestion.
    • Take proper rest to help your body relax and heal faster.
    • Avoid or limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine.

    Special Advise

     

    Patients Concern

    Disease/Condition Glossary

    Malaria: It is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that enter the body through a mosquito's bite. This is a common disease in countries like Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. This disease usually occurs when an Anopheles mosquito (infected with the parasite 'Plasmodium') bites a healthy individual and transfers the parasite into the bloodstream. Parasites that cause malaria include Plasmodium vivax, P. ovale, P. malaria, and P. falciparum. Malaria symptoms usually start 10 days to 4 weeks after the infection. They include chills, high fever, profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, muscle pain, convulsions, coma and bloody stools.

    FAQs

    Artesunate is antimalarial medicine that interferes with the plasmodium parasite's growth in the red blood cells of the human body. Artesunate is used to treat malaria caused by a parasite called 'Plasmodium falciparum,' other plasmodium species. It works by forming harmful chemicals within the malarial parasite, therefore killing the parasites.

    Use of Artesunate should be prevented in patients who are allergic to Artesunate or any of its components. Though, if you are not aware of any allergy or if you are using Artesunate for the first time, inform your doctor.

    Before starting Artesunate, inform your doctor if you have any other health illnesses like a kidney- or heart-related complications. This is because some medical conditions may affect your treatment and you may even require dose adjustments. Also, inform your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by, this Artesunate. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.

    If you miss a dose of Artesunate, take it as soon as you remember. Although, if it is approximately time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose in the recommended time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may enhance the probabilities of developing side effects.

    Store Artesunate between 10°C to 30°C according to the instructions on the leaflet and away from direct sunlight.

    No, finish the prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.

    Available Medicines for

    Artesunate

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