Artesunate is an injectable drug used in the treatment of severe malaria in children and adults because it is able to act in the reproductive cycle of the parasite, allowing it to be eliminated quickly from the body.
This medicine should be administered in the hospital with an injection into the muscle or directly into the vein and therefore can not be bought in pharmacies.
What is it for
This medication is indicated to treat cases of severe malaria by Plasmodium falciparum with one or more of the following complications:
- Alteration of consciousness;
- Excessive tiredness and generalized weakness;
- Circulatory shock;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Frequent seizures;
- Abnormal bleeding;
- Skin and yellow eyes.
Therefore, this medicine should only be used after the doctor responsible for treating malaria.
How to use
Artesunate should only be given in the hospital by a doctor or nurse.
Usually, the recommended dose is 2.4 mg per kilogram of weight in people weighing more than 20 kg. For children weighing less than 20 kg, the dose should be 3 mg per kilogram of weight.
The dose should be repeated 12 and 24 hours after the first dose, totaling 3 doses.
Main side effects
Using this medication may cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, tiredness, muscle aches or weight loss.
Who should not use
Artesunate should not be used in children weighing less than 5 kg and in people with allergies to any of the ingredients in the formula.
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