Artesunate
About Artesunate
Artesunate is an injectable medication used for the emergency treatment of severe malaria. It is prescribed when the infection is complicated or life-threatening, requiring rapid action to clear malaria parasites from the body. Because it is a parenteral medication, it is injected directly into the body to ensure it starts working immediately.
This medication is given as a short, intensive course of injections, usually over a period of 24 to 48 hours, depending on how quickly you recover. Since this medicine is injected by a healthcare professional, food intake does not affect how it is absorbed, but staying nourished is vital for your recovery.
While this treatment is highly effective, some people may experience mild side effects like dizziness, headaches, or nausea. In rare cases, more serious side effects can occur, such as a delayed breakdown of red blood cells (anaemia) weeks after treatment. If you notice extreme tiredness, pale skin, or dark urine after your treatment is finished, talk to your doctor immediately.
Before you receive this medication, it is important to tell your healthcare provider about your complete medical history. Do not take this if you have a history of severe allergic reactions to artemisinin-based medicines. Your medical team will carefully evaluate your health, especially if you have pre-existing kidney or liver issues.
This medicine can interact with other drugs, so your doctor must know about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal remedies you are taking. You should avoid alcohol and smoking during treatment, as they can place extra stress on your liver and slow down your recovery. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an elderly patient, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks and benefits in your specific situation.
Uses of Artesunate
Medicinal Benefits
Artesunate helps provide fast, life-saving treatment for severe malaria by quickly bringing the infection under control.
Benefits may include:
- Helps rapidly reduce malaria symptoms and parasite levels
- Reduces the risk of life-threatening complications
- Supports faster recovery from severe malaria
- Provides effective treatment when oral medicines cannot be taken
- Helps protect vital organs from malaria-related damage
- Improves the chances of recovery with prompt treatment
Directions for Use
- Artesunate must be prepared and injected by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital or clinical setting.
- The dry powder in the vial is carefully dissolved in a sterile liquid and then injected into a vein (intravenously) or into a large muscle (intramuscularly).
- Do not attempt to self-inject this medication. Your doctor and medical team will determine the exact schedule and ensure you receive the correct amount of medicine.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions and complete any follow-up oral treatments they prescribe.
Storage
Side Effects of Artesunate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mild pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe allergic reactions (such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat)
- Delayed haemolytic anaemia (signs include extreme fatigue, pale skin, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of the skin and eyes occurring up to several weeks after treatment)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the solution before use: Make sure the prepared solution is clear and free of visible particles before it is injected. Do not use it if it looks cloudy or has changed colour.
- Watch for signs of anaemia: Be vigilant for signs of delayed anaemia, such as unusual weakness, yellow eyes, or dark urine, for up to 4 to 6 weeks after your treatment is completed, and attend any follow-up blood tests recommended by your doctor to monitor for delayed haemolytic anaemia.
- Complete your full treatment: Take all follow-up antimalarial tablets exactly as prescribed, even if you feel better. This helps prevent the infection from coming back.
- Use sterile injection equipment: Make sure a new, sterile needle and syringe are used for every injection. This helps reduce the risk of infection.
Drug Interactions
- Other antimalarial medicines (e.g., mefloquine, quinine): Taking these medicines alongside Artesunate may increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms and may require closer monitoring.
- Liver enzyme-affecting medicines (e.g., rifampicin, ketoconazole): These medicines may affect how Artesunate works in the body and may change its effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol while using Artesunate since it can worsen your side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeArtesunate is not safe during pregnancy as it causes severe side effects to both mother and unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionArtesunate 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.
Driving
cautionArtesunate may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or generally weak. In such cases, do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionClose 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.
Kidney
cautionTherapy 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.
Children
safe if prescribedArtesunate is safely given to the children 6 months or older.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well hydrated: Drink plenty of clean fluids, such as water or oral rehydration solutions, to replace fluids lost through fever, sweating, and vomiting.
- Eat light meals: Choose small, frequent meals that are easy to digest, such as broths, plain rice, or bananas, to help restore your energy without upsetting your stomach.
- Get adequate rest: Rest as much as possible during and after treatment to give your body time to recover from the infection.
- Prevent mosquito bites: Use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and sleep under mosquito nets to reduce your risk of future mosquito-borne infections.
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 used to treat malaria.
Artesunate is an 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, and other Plasmodium species. It works by forming harmful chemicals within the malarial parasite, therefore killing the parasite.
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.
Yes, Artesunate is effective against quinine-resistant malaria, especially severe Plasmodium falciparum infections.
Artesunate will be administered intravenously (IV) by your doctor. Do not self-administer.
No, Artesunate is primarily effective in treating severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Artesunate may not be effective for all types or stages of malaria, such as the dormant liver stages of plasmodium vivax. Always, consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Artesunate is safe when used as prescribed by your doctor in the recommended dosage and duration. Follow your doctor's instructions and consult them if you have any concerns.
No, Artesunate should only be administered by a healthcare professional to ensure accurate dosing and safe usage. Do not self-administer.
Yes, Artesunate may cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, weakness, and loss of appetite. However, please contact a doctor if these continue for longer durations.
Pregnant women may use Artesunate only if prescribed by a doctor, as untreated malaria poses severe risks to both mother and baby. Therefore, always inform your doctor if you are pregnant before taking Artesunate.
Artesunate can be used while breastfeeding if prescribed by your doctor. Artesunate passes into breast milk in small amounts but is unlikely to harm a newborn, especially those older than 2 months. However, it does not protect the child from malaria. Always follow your doctor’s advice regarding Artesunate use during breastfeeding.
If you have kidney or liver disease, inform your doctor before using Artesunate. Although dose adjustments are generally unnecessary, careful monitoring is essential during treatment. Therefore, always contact a doctor if you have any concerns.
No, Artesunate is used strictly to treat active, severe malaria infections. It does not prevent malaria from occurring. Talk to your doctor about appropriate preventive medications before travelling to malaria-prone areas.
The most significant serious side effect is delayed haemolytic anaemia, which is the breakdown of red blood cells weeks after treatment. If you experience unusual tiredness, pale skin, or dark urine after recovering, talk to your doctor immediately.
Yes, once you are well enough to swallow, your doctor will usually prescribe a complete course of oral antimalarial tablets to ensure all remaining parasites are destroyed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to understand your full treatment plan.
Yes, Artesunate is widely used and recognised as a primary, safe treatment for severe malaria in infants and children. Talk to your doctor about how the dose is calculated for children.
It is highly recommended to avoid alcohol while recovering, as severe malaria and its treatment can put strain on your liver. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised recovery advice.
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