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General Information:
Artemether injection is an anti-malarial product manufactured and used for the treatment of drug-resistant strains of malaria p. falciparum and p. vivax. It can be used both on its own and in combination (often with lumefantrine) for the treatment of malaria in both adults and children.
Its active ingredient is artemether, which is a highly effective anti-malarial which has been shown to clear fever within 30-48 hours.
For injections, it comes as a solution, which should only be administered by your doctor or healthcare provider into a large muscle.
Side Effects:
As with all pharmaceuticals, some unwanted effects can occur from the use of artemether. Always consult a doctor or health care professional for medical advice before use. Common side effects include, but may not be limited to a cough, diarrhea, mild weakness or dizziness, mild headaches, joint or muscle pain, nausea, runny or stuffy nose. Seek medical attention if the following develop: body aches, chills, dark urine, fast or pounding heartbeats, flu symptoms, pale skin, severe headaches, skin rash, vomiting or loss of appetite. If any of the following occur then seek immediate medical attention: difficulty in breathing, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat.
If any symptom persists or gets worse, or you notice any other symptom, then please call your doctor immediately.
Indications
- Alternative to injectable artesunate (when it is not available) in the:
• Treatment of severe malaria
• Initial treatment of uncomplicated malaria, when persistent vomiting precludes oral therapy
Forms and strengths, route of administration
- 80 mg in 1 ml ampoule (80 mg/ml), oily solution for IM injection. NEVER ADMINISTER BY IV ROUTE.
When the dose required is less than 1 ml, use a 1 ml syringe graduated in 0.01 ml.
Dosage and duration
- Child and adult:
3.2 mg/kg by IM injection on the first day followed by 1.6 mg/kg once daily
Weight | 80 mg ampoule | |
Loading dose | maintenance dose | |
3-4 kg | 0.2 ml | 0.1 ml |
5-6 kg | 0.3 ml | 0.15 ml |
7-9 kg | 0.4 ml | 0.2 ml |
10-14 kg | 0.6 ml | 0.3 ml |
15-19 kg | 0.8 ml | 0.4 ml |
20-29 kg | 1.2 ml | 0.6 ml |
30-39 kg | 1.6 ml | 0.8 ml |
40-49 kg | 2 ml | 1 ml |
50-59 kg | 2.5 ml | 1.2 ml |
- Treat parenterally for at least 24 hours (2 doses), then, if the patient can tolerate the oral route, change to a complete 3-day course of an artemisinin-based combination. If not, continue parenteral treatment once daily until the patient can change to oral route (without exceeding 7 days of parenteral treatment).
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- May cause: gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
