Dosing and uses of Artesunate
Adult dosage forms and strengths
powder for injection
- 60mg/vial
Malaria (Orphan)
Treatment (immediate and other) of malaria
Orphan indication sponsors
- US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity, Office of the Surgeon General; 622 Neiman Street; Ft. Detrick, MD 21702-9240
- World Health Organization, Special Programme for Research and Training; Via Appia , Geneva 27, Switzerland
Other Indications & Uses
P. falciparum malaria especially in quinidine-resistant patients
CDC: 2.4 mg/kg IV x4 doses over 3 days
WHO: 2.4 mg/kg IV/IM at 0, 12 hours, 24 hours, THEN qDay
PO (not available in US): 4 mg/kg qDay x3 days (with mefloquine)
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
powder for injection
- 60mg/vial
Other Indications & Uses
As adult (other regimens also suggested)
Insufficient evidence of efficacy
Artesunate adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Generally well-tolerated
Cardiotoxicity (high doses)
Neurotoxicity observed in animal studies
Drug induced fever
Skin rash
Warnings
Contraindications
See product labeL
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: N/A
Lactation: unknown
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Artesunate
Peak Plasma Time: within 1 hr
Half-Life, Elimination: 40-50 min
Protein Bound: ~70%
Metabolites: dihydroartemisinin, active
Excretion: urine, feces
Mechanism of action
Unclear, may inhibit DNA replication & transcription
