ARTIVAC Injection 2ml

Introduction About ARTIVAC INJECTION

ARTIVAC INJECTION contains Alpha Beta Arteether which belongs to the group of medicines called Antimalarials. It is used to manage severe malaria including cerebral malaria (most severe neurological complication of infection with Plasmodium falciparum) and as a second line drug in chloroquine resistant malaria.

Malaria is a serious disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito that feeds on humans. Symptoms include being very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

ARTIVAC INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with medicine induced fever, heart disease or drug resistance. ARTIVAC INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnancy (especially first 3 months). ARTIVAC INJECTION should be used with caution in breastfeeding women.

ARTIVAC INJECTION is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 16 years of age). The most common side effects of receiving ARTIVAC INJECTION are nausea, vomiting, headache and abdominal pain. Consult your doctor if any of the symptoms do not show any improvement.

Uses Of ARTIVAC INJECTION

• Manage severe malaria including cerebral malaria
• As a second line medicine in chloroquine-resistant malaria

How ARTIVAC INJECTION Works

ARTIVAC INJECTION reduces malarial infection by producing harmful chemicals (free radicals) within the malarial parasite and thus killing it.

How to use ARTIVAC INJECTION

ARTIVAC INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or a nurse intramuscularly (in deep upper-lateral quadrant of the buttock). Your doctor will decide the right dose and duration of management based on your age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of ARTIVAC INJECTION

How To Manage Side Effects

Headache

Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head and massage your head gently. Try to rest and relax in a quiet and dark room. Avoid consuming excessive alcohol, as it could make your headache worse. If symptom persists, contact your doctor.

Nausea And Vomiting

Stick to simple meals and avoid oily or spicy foods, sugary snacks, and aerated drinks. Avoid drinking too much liquid or water together with your meals, and slowly drink in between meals. If symptoms persist, contact your doctor.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

Contraindicated

ARTIVAC INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women (especially in first 3 months). Consult your doctor before receiving it.

Breastfeeding

Use with Caution

ARTIVAC INJECTION should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as it is not known whether this medicine is excreted in human milk. Consult your doctor before receiving it.

Driving and Using Machines

Use with Caution

Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy or sleepy after receiving ARTIVAC INJECTION.

Kidney

Consult your doctor

The use of ARTIVAC INJECTION for the management of severe malaria in patients with pre-existing kidney failure has not been studied. Consult your doctor before receiving it.

Liver

Consult your doctor

The use of ARTIVAC INJECTION for the management of severe malaria in patients with pre-existing liver failure has not been studied. Consult your doctor before receiving it.

Allergy

Contraindicated

Do not receive ARTIVAC INJECTION if you are allergic to Alpha Beta Arteether or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

Heart Disease

Use with Caution

ARTIVAC INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with heart disease. Consult your doctor before receiving it.

Use In Pediatrics

Contraindicated

ARTIVAC INJECTION is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (below 16 years of age). Consult your doctor before receiving it.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before receiving ARTIVAC INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• other medicines used to manage malaria (Ex. quinine, halofantrine)
• medicines used to reduce acidity (Ex. aluminium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate)

Overdosage:

ARTIVAC INJECTION will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital, and so you are unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience anything unusual.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep ARTIVAC INJECTION out of reach of children
• Store ARTIVAC INJECTION below 30°C

FAQs About ARTIVAC INJECTION

Q: What if I miss a dose of ARTIVAC INJECTION?

A: Please stick to the recommended schedule as agreed with your doctor for optimal efficacy of ARTIVAC INJECTION management. Notify your doctor whenever you miss to receive any dose.

Q: Can ARTIVAC INJECTION be used in pregnant women?

A: ARTIVAC INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women or women planning to have a baby as a primary management for uncomplicated malaria cases but can be used for management of severe or complicated P. Falciparum malaria infection in patients of multiple drug resistance, if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the baby. Consult your doctor before receiving it.

Q: Can ARTIVAC INJECTION be used with other medicines?

A: Before taking ARTIVAC INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are taking, have taken, or might take any other medicine, including prescription, over the counter or any herbal medicine (Ex. other medicines to manage malaria or antacids), as these might cause serious side effects by interacting with each other.

Q: Can ARTIVAC INJECTION be used in patients with kidney or liver problems?

A: The use of ARTIVAC INJECTION for the management of severe malaria in patients with pre-existing kidney or liver failure has not been studied. Consult your doctor for advice. The doctor will determine a proper dose or select a suitable alternative management for you.

Q: Can I stop receiving ARTIVAC INJECTION on my own?

A: Continue receiving ARTIVAC INJECTION until your doctor tells you to stop, unless you experience any unwanted effects, worsening of your condition or any new symptoms. Contact your doctor in such condition.

References

1. KD Tripathi. Antimalarial Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth Edition. 2019. Page –887.

2. S Mohanty, S K Mishra, S K Satpathy, S Dash, J Patnaik. Alpha, beta-Arteether for the treatment of complicated falciparum malaria. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. May-June 1997. [Accessed on 17th August 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9231210/

3. S.K. Mishra, O.P. Asthana, S. Mohanty, J.K. Patnaik, B.S. Das, J.S. Srivastava, S.K. Satpathy, S. Dash, P.K. Rath, K. Varghese. Effectiveness of α, β-arteether in acute falciparum malaria. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. ScienceDirect. May-June 1995. [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0035920395905502

4. Kwality Pharmaceuticals Ltd. National Agency for Food & Drug Administration & Control (NAFDAC). [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://www.nafdac.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/Files/SMPC/a_v4/SmPC-Nither-injection.pdf

5. Sakar Healthcare Limited. ABEETA 150 INJECTION, α-β Arteether Injection 150 mg/2ml. [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://www.nafdac.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/Files/SMPC/Abeeta%20inj%20%CE%B1%CE%B2%20Arteether%20Injection%20150%20mg.pdf

6. Alpha beta arteether. Tee Inj (Alpha Beta Arteether Injection). [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://www.mcwhealthcare.com/product/tee-inj/

7. Integrated Laboratories. Intemether-75 (Alpha Beta Arteether Injection). [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://integratedlaboratories.in/alpha-beta-arteether-injection-intemether-75/

8. Biobrick Pharma. Leether (Alpha Beta Arteether Injection). [Accessed on 18th August 2022] https://www.biobrickpharma.com/product/leether/

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Author Details

Written By Dr. Jeenal Rajani - Pharm.D.

Reviewed For Accuracy By Dr. Nitin Sattiwale - MBBS

Last updated on 30 Mar 2023 | 05:40 PM(IST)