Download the Practo app for free

Get Rs. 200 HealthCash
Download the app now
Book instant appointments 24x7
Bookmark doctors for quick access
Consult online with a doctor in 60s
Free ₹200 worth HealthCash on app
Use HealthCash to order medicines, health products & much more
Get App
0

Artesunate

Description

Artesunate is an effective anti-malarial medicine. It is used to treat severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum strains when other medicines are not effective.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Artesunate

Dizziness

Headache

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Injection site pain

Fever with body pain

Anemia

Low WBC and Platelet count

Swelling of the liver

Uses of Artesunate

What is it prescribed for?

Malaria

This medicine is used to treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum strain of the parasite. It may also be used for the treatment of malaria that are resistant to other medicines.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The time taken for this medicine to show its effect is not established. However, it reaches the peak level in the body within an hour of administration.
  • Duration of effect

    The time duration for which the effect of this medicine persists is not established.
  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Use of this medicine in pregnant women is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. The effect of this medicine on pregnancy is not clearly established and hence should be used only in life-threatening situations.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Use of this medicine while breastfeeding is not recommended unless necessary. Your doctor will determine whether or not to use this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to Artesunate.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Use of this medicine in pregnant women is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. The effect of this medicine on pregnancy is not clearly established and hence should be used only in life-threatening situations.

Breast-feeding

Use of this medicine while breastfeeding is not recommended unless necessary. Your doctor will determine whether or not to use this medicine.

General warnings

Severe malaria

This medicine should be used to treat malaria only when it is severe and other medicines like quinine are proving to be ineffective.

Medicine induced fever

This medicine can cause fever as a side effect.

Liver/kidney impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients having an impaired liver/kidney function. If the impairment is very severe then the use of this medicine should be avoided.

Missed Dose

Contact your doctor immediately if you miss a scheduled dose of this medicine.

Overdose

Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose with this medicine is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Mefloquine

Pyrimethamine

Disease interactions

Liver disease

This medicine should be administered with caution in patients having an impaired liver function. Appropriate diagnostic tests must be performed before determining the dose regimen. Suitable dose adjustment and frequent monitoring may be needed to ensure safe and effective use.

Kidney Disease

This medicine should be administered with caution in patients having an impaired kidney function. Suitable dose adjustment and frequent monitoring may be needed to ensure safe and effective use.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
Take Artesunate as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take more or less than the recommended quantity and duration. It is advised to take this medicine under the supervision of a doctor or a healthcare professional.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

This medicine works by acting on the malarial parasite in the blood.

Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Approved

Classification

Category

Antimalarial agents

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 26 April 2017]. Available from:

https://extranet.who.int/prequal/sites/default/files/documents/MA051part3v2.pdf

WHO Model Prescribing Information: Drugs Used in Parasitic Diseases - Second Edition: Protozoa: Malaria: Artesunate [Internet]. Apps.who.int. 2017 [cited 26 April 2017]. Available from:

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jh2922e/2.5.11.html

[Internet]. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK294445/
Something doesn’t feel right?
Report an error

Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.