Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate
About Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate
Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate is primarily used to treat malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal parasitic infection caused by a protozoan called Plasmodium. It is spread through the bites of an infected mosquito (female Anopheles mosquito).
Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate contains Dihydroartemisinin and Piperaquine phosphate. Dihydroartemisinin works by damaging the membrane structures of the parasite, leading to its death. Piperaquine phosphate stops the parasite from converting toxic haem into a harmless substance called haemozoin, causing a buildup of toxic haem and eventually killing the parasite. Together, Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate helps treat malaria.
It is recommended to continue taking Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate for the prescribed dose and duration, based on your condition and the severity of the infection. You may experience common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid heart rate, weakness, fever, and headache. Most of these side effects are generally mild and will resolve over time without requiring medical attention. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Do not take Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months, as it may cause serious harm to the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding, as it is not known whether Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate passes into breast milk. Let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medicines or herbal supplements and if you have any medical conditions.
Uses of Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate
Medicinal Benefits
Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate belongs to the class of medications called antimalarials primarily used to treat malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. It contains two antimalarial medicines: Dihydroartemisinin and Piperaquine phosphate. Dihydroartemisinin produces harmful molecules (reactive oxygen species) and damages the membrane structures inside the parasite, leading to its death. Piperaquine phosphate stops the parasite from converting toxic haem into a harmless substance called haemozoin, causing a buildup of toxic haem and eventually killing the parasite. Together, Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate helps treat malaria.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Rapid heart rate
- Weakness
- Fever
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Before starting Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate, please inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Inform the doctor if you have severe malaria, heart problems, electrolyte imbalance, or liver/kidney problems. Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months, as it may cause serious harm to the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding, as it is not known whether Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate passes into breast milk. Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from heart diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects, including an irregular heart rhythm. Let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medicines or herbal supplements and if you have any medical conditions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are taking antacids (omeprazole, esomeprazole), antihistamines (diphenhydramine ), antibiotics (azithromycin, rifampicin), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), antivirals (atazanavir, indinavir), antiarrhythmics (verapamil), antidepressants (nefazodone), or herbal supplements (St. John's wort).
Drug-Food Interactions: Limit the consumption of grapefruit or grapefruit juice and fatty foods with Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate, as it may significantly increase the effects of this medicine.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have medical conditions like heart disease (arrhythmias) or liver/kidney diseases.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate. Please consult your doctor before taking Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate.
Pregnancy
unsafeDihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months, as it may harm your unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding, as it is not known whether Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate passes into breast milk.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is not known whether Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate alters the ability to drive. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Please consult the doctor if you have liver problems.
Kidney
cautionDihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Please consult the doctor if you have kidney problems.
Children
safe if prescribedDihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate is safe for children under 12 years if prescribed by the doctor. The doctor may adjust the dose based on age, weight, and the severity of the infection.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, and a hat to protect your skin from mosquito bites.
- Apply insect repellent to any exposed skin, such as lemon eucalyptus oil or picaridin.
- First, apply sunscreen, then add the bug repellent on top for double protection.
- If there are no screens in your room, sleep under a bed net. Spray the net with insect repellent for extra protection.
Special Advise
- Finish the course prescribed by your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. Stopping it too early may make the infection return and harder to treat.
- Do not take a second course of Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate without a doctor's advice.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Malaria: It is a parasitic infection caused by a protozoan called Plasmodium. Four types of parasites can infect humans with malaria: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malaria. The infection is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. When bitten by an infected mosquito, the malaria parasites enter the bloodstream and cause infection. Symptoms typically start 10 to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Malaria can cause symptoms such as periodic fever and chills, anaemia, kidney failure, and jaundice due to the destruction of red blood cells caused by the growth of Plasmodium inside them.
FAQs
Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate belongs to the class of medications called antimalarials used to treat malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite.
Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate works by killing infection-causing malarial parasites. Thereby, it helps treat malaria.
Common side effects of Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid heart rate, weakness, fever, and headache. Most of these side effects are generally mild and will resolve over time without requiring medical attention. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, the use of Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate is not recommended during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months, as it may harm your unborn baby.
Dihydroartemisinin+piperaquine Phosphate should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects, including an irregular heart rhythm. Close monitoring of your vital signs and heart function, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative antimalarial medicine may be necessary based on your medical condition.
Malaria is spread by mosquitoes. You can prevent malaria by protecting yourself from mosquito bites by wearing covered clothes, using mosquito-repellent creams, cleaning water tanks regularly, using mosquito nets, and keeping your surroundings clean and neat to avoid mosquito growth.
Symptoms usually start showing within 10–15 days of getting bitten by an infected mosquito. However, it may vary from person to person based on their immunity strength, parasite load, previous exposure, or infections. If symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention.
