Artesunato is an injectable medicine used to treat severe malaria in children and adults, as it is able to act in the parasite's reproduction cycle, allowing it to be eliminated quickly from the body.
This medicine must be administered at the hospital with an injection into the muscle or directly into the vein and therefore cannot be purchased at pharmacies.
What is it for
This medication is indicated to treat cases of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria with one or more of the following complications:
- Change in consciousness; Excessive tiredness and generalized weakness; Circulatory shock; Difficulty breathing; Frequent seizures; Abnormal bleeding; Yellow skin and eyes.
Therefore, this medicine should only be used after the indication of the doctor responsible for the treatment of malaria.
How to use
Artesunato should only be administered in the hospital by a doctor or nurse.
Normally, the recommended dose is 2.4 mg for each kilo of weight in people over 20 kg. In children under 20 kg, the dose should be 3 mg for each kilo of weight.
The dose should be repeated 12 and 24 hours after the first, totaling 3 doses.
Main side effects
The use of this medication can cause the appearance of some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, tiredness, muscle pain or weight loss.
Who should not use
Artesunate should not be used in children under 5 kg in weight and in people with allergies to any of the components of the formula.
