Artesunet50 mg

Artesunet 50 mg, an artemisinin derivative, is a powerful antimalarial drug. It is used for both adults and children. It is indicated for the following conditions: Treatment of severe and complicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum both in adults and in children in areas where there is multidrug resistance. ... Read moreArtesunet 50 mg, an artemisinin derivative, is a powerful antimalarial drug. It is used for both adults and children. It is indicated for the following conditions: Treatment of severe and complicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum both in adults and in children in areas where there is multidrug resistance. Treatment of uncomplicated malaria in situations where there is the widespread prevalence of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Artesunet 50 mg tablet is also suitable to salvage patients with pernicious malaria and treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

Anti-malarial drugs

Artesunet 50 mg is a potent and rapidly-acting blood schizontocide derived from the leaves of the chinese herb, Armesia annua. The exact mode of action is not clear but clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Artesunet 50 mg in P. vivax and falciparum malaria.

Adult: 5 days treatment: on the 1st day 2 tablets twice and 2nd day onward 1 tablet twice daily for remaining 4 daysChildren: 1-3 years: 5 days treatment: on the 1st day ½ tablet twice and 2nd day onward ¼ tablet twice daily for remaining 4 days 4-5 years: 5 days treatment: on the 1st day 1 tablet twice and 2nd day onward ½ tablet twice daily for remaining 4 days 6-12 years: 5 days treatment: on the 1st day ½ tablet twice, 2nd day 1 tablet twice and 3rd day onward ½ tablet twice daily for remaining 3 days Prophylmcis: 100 mg tablet once a week, from 1 week before entering malarial areas, to 4 weeks after leaving the area.

It is to be given by oral route. The oral dose of Artesunet 50 mg tablet can be defined as follows:For Artesunet 50 mg 50 mg tablet:Adults: Two Artesunet 50 mg 50 tablets twice on the first day, then one Artesunet 50 mg 50 tablet twice daily for the next four days (4, 2, 2, 2, 2) Children: 1-3 years: 3 Artesunet 50 mg 50 tablets for 5 days (1, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2) 4-5 years: 6 Artesunet 50 mg 50 tablets for 5 days (2, 1, 1, 1, 1) 6-12 years: 8 Artesunet 50 mg 50 tablets for 5 days (3, 2, 1, 1, 1) For Artesunet 50 mg 100 mg tablet:Adults: One Artesunet 50 mg 100 tablet twice on the first day, then half Artesunet 50 mg 100 tablet twice daily for the next four days (2, 1, 1, 1, 1)Children: 4-5 years: 3 Artesunet 50 mg 100 tablets for 5 days (1, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2, 1⁄2) 6-12 years: 4 Artesunet 50 mg 100 tablets for 5 days (11⁄2,1,1⁄2,1⁄2,1⁄2) Patients aged more than 12 years: should be given same as adult dose. Dosage for the prevention of malaria: Two Artesunet 50 mg 50 tablets (or one Artesunet 50 mg 100 tablet) as a single dose once a week, from one week before entering a malaria-affected area to four weeks after leaving the area.

Artesunet 50 mg may have interaction with other artemisinin drugs i.e. artemether, arteether which have the same effect in prolonging the PQ and QT interval. It has interaction when it is given with other antimalarial drugs (eg. Quinine, quinidine, mafloquine and halofantrine) which have cardiac action. It also has interaction with other drugs which prolong QT interval (such as erythromycin, terfenadine, astemizole, probucol, procainamide, disopyramide, amiodarone, bretylium, bepridil, sotalol, tricyclic antidepressants and neuroleptics).

Artesunet 50 mg is contraindicated for patients with known hypersensitivity to Artemisinin and its derivatives or its inactive ingredients.

Artesunet 50 mg tablet is well tolerated. No adverse effects have been reported from the treatment of Artesunet 50 mg at recommended dose.

Pregnancy category is not classified. FDA has yet not classified the drug into a specific pregnancy catagory.

This tablet should be used with caution in patients vomiting severely. For emergency treatment of patients suffering from severe malaria, intravenous or intramuscular injection is preferred. Do not use the drug without the advice of a Registered Physician. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Anti-malarial drugs

Artesunet 50 mg is metabolized to the active DHA. the endoperoxide bridge of DHA reacts with heme, generating free radicals which inhibit protein and nucleic acid synthesis of the Plasmodium parasites during all erythrocytic stages. Reactions with these free radicals can also lead to alkylation of parasitic proteins such as a calcium adenosine triphosphatase and EXP1, a glutathione S-transferase.

A WHO report assessing the safety of artemisinin derivatives in pregnancy concluded that these drugs should continue to be available for the treatment of malaria in pregnancy, irrespective of the trimester. WHO also stressed that further study was needed. Therefore Artesunet 50 mg tablet should be given to pregnant women especially, in first trimester if recommended by Registered Physician. Like many other drugs there is possibility for presence of Artesunet 50 mg in breast milk. Because of potential of adverse effect of Artesunet 50 mg in nursing baby, breast-feeding should be stopped during the treatment of malaria by Artesunet 50 mg tablet.