Larither Injection 1ml

Introduction About LARITHER INJECTION

LARITHER INJECTION contains Artemether which belongs to the group of medicines called Antimalarials. It is indicated for the management of severe malaria including cerebral malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum (a particular type of malaria parasite) when other medicines are not effective.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, headache, muscle pain and flu-like illness.

Cerebral malaria is the most severe neurological complication of infection with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. It is a clinical syndrome characterized by coma and asexual forms of the parasite on peripheral blood smears.

Before receiving LARITHER INJECTION inform your doctor if you have liver, heart, kidney problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before receiving this medicine.

The most common side effects of LARITHER INJECTION are injection site pain, headache, dizziness, muscle pain, joint pain, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. It may be monitored with blood tests once a week for 4 weeks to detect the presence of malarial parasites.

Uses Of LARITHER INJECTION

• Used to manage severe malaria including cerebral malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum (a particular type of malaria parasite) when other medicines are not effective

How LARITHER INJECTION Works

LARITHER INJECTION is an antiparasitic medication which works by producing harmful chemicals (free radicals) within the malarial parasite, thereby works against them.

How to use LARITHER INJECTION

LARITHER INJECTION will be administered by a doctor or nurse intramuscularly (into a muscle). Your doctor will administer the correct dose depending upon the age, body weight and disease condition.

Side Effects Of LARITHER INJECTION

How To Manage Side Effects

Diarrhoea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juices to keep yourself hydrated. Avoid taking any medicine on your own for managing diarrheoa. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume too much of alcohol, as it can aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Headache:  

Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water and electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if necessary. Do not consume alcohol. Contact your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Nausea and Vomiting:

Try to take this medicine with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food.

Stomach pain:

Rest and relax. Eat and drink slowly or try to have smaller and frequent meals. Keep a heat pad on your stomach. Do not self-manage on your own and consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve on its own.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

LARITHER INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women (especially first 3 months of pregnancy). Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breastfeeding

There are no available data suggest this LARITHER INJECTION will affect nursing mother. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Driving and Using Machines

LARITHER INJECTION may cause dizziness, do not drive a car or operate machines while receiving this medicine.

Kidney

LARITHER INJECTION should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney disease. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Liver

LARITHER INJECTION should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver disease. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Allergy

Do not receive this medicine if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Artemether or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

Heart Disease

LARITHER INJECTION should be used with caution in patients suffering from heart disease. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before receiving LARITHER INJECTION inform your physician if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• medicine used to lower blood potassium levels
• other medicines to manage malaria
• medicines used for your heart
• antipsychotic medicines (used for management of abnormal condition of the mind)
• antidepressants (used for mood disorders)
• antibiotics (used to manage infections)
• antihistamines (used to manage allergies)
• cisapride (used for improving gastric mobility)

B. Drug - Food interaction:

LARITHER INJECTION may react with peanut or soya or arachis oil (peanut oil).

Overdosage:

LARITHER INJECTION will be administered to you only by a doctor or nurse in a hospital, and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. If you or anyone else accidentally receives too much of this medicine, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep out of reach of children
• Store at room temperature

FAQs About LARITHER INJECTION

Is LARITHER INJECTION effective?

Yes, it is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and let your doctor know if any of the side effects bother you.

Can I receive LARITHER INJECTION if I have kidney disease?

LARITHER INJECTION should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney disease. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Can LARITHER INJECTION cause headache?

Yes, this medicine may cause headache in some individuals. Rest and relax. Drink plenty of fluids such as water and electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the head if necessary. Do not consume alcohol. Contact your doctor if the symptom did not improve.

Can I receive LARITHER INJECTION if I have heart disease?

LARITHER INJECTION should be used with caution in patients suffering from heart disease. Consult your doctor before receiving this medicine.

References

1. KD. Tripathi. Antimalarial Drugs. Seventh edition. 2013. Page –830.

2. World Health Organization. [Accessed on March 04, 2022] https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/MA087part3v1.pdf

3. Lagaay Medicals. [Accessed on March 04, 2022] https://www.lagaay.com/Catalogus/Product%20information/040090/Leaflet%20Artemether%2080mg%20injections.pdf

4. Medindia. [Accessed on March 04, 2022] https://www.medindia.net/doctors/drug_information/artemether.htm

5. Cochranelibrary. [Accessed on March 04, 2022] https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010678.pub2/epdf/full

6. Ekpereonne Esu, Emmanuel E Effa, Oko N Opie, Amirahobu Uwaoma, and Martin M Meremikwu. Artemether for severe malaria. September 11, 2014. [Accessed on March 04, 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4455227/

7. Richard Idro, Kevin Marsh, Chandy C John, and Charles RJ Newton. Cerebral Malaria; Mechanisms Of Brain Injury And Strategies For Improved Neuro-Cognitive Outcome. Oct, 2010. [Accessed on March 04, 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056312/

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• Malarial Falciparum & Vivax Antigen
• Malarial Parasite Identification
• Peripheral Smear Examination
• Peripheral Smear for Malaria

Author Details

Written By Dr. Janet.C - Pharm.D

Reviewed For Accuracy By Dr. Nitin Sattiwale - MBBS

Last updated on 07 Dec 2022 | 11:52 PM(IST)