Uses of Artesunate

Artesunate is used for the treatment of severe malaria including cerebral malaria in adult and paediatric patients. Also, it can also be used against quinine resistance.

Therapeutic Category

Artesunate: Antimalarials

How Artesunate works

Artesunate helps in treating malaria where Artesunate works by transforming into a metabolite and binds with iron component of blood and forms free radicals which inhibit the synthesis of protein and nucleic acid in Plasmodium parasites and prevents it from invading red blood cells, thus treating the malaria effectively.

Common side effects of Artesunate

• Dizziness, light-headedness
• Tinnitus (with or without reduced hearing capability)
• Headache, insomnia
• Rash
• Hair loss
• Taste alteration (metallic/ bitter taste)
• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and diarrhoea
• Cough or nasal symptoms
• Joint pain, muscle disorders 
• Fatigue, malaise, fever
• Pain at injection site

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor, if you experience:

• Severe allergic reactions such as urticaria or generalized rash, shortness of breath, low blood pressure

Health Tips for Artesunate

• Take Artesunate after meals to avoid the risk of stomach upset
• Drink an adequate amount of water while taking this medicine to ensure proper hydration. This can help prevent potential side effects such as dizziness or nausea
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine as it can increase the risk of side effects and may interact with the medication
• Inform your healthcare provider about all the medications, supplements and herbal products you are taking, as Artesunate can interact with certain drugs
• Artesunate is not recommended for use in during first trimester of pregnancy
• Artesunate should be used with caution in breastfeeding women