Artemether Injection

Active Ingredients: Artemether

Artemether Injection is an antimalarial product manufactured and used for the treatment of drug-resistant strains of p. falciparum and p. vivax. This highly effective drug has been shown to clear fever within 30-48 hours. It can be used on its own and in combination to treat malaria in both adults and children.

This product comes as a solution intended to be used as an injection to a large muscle. It should only be administered by your doctor or healthcare provider.

Artemether is an antimalarial treatment drug for acute complicated cases of malaria that are resistant to other drugs. It exhibits potent schizonticidal properties, swiftly clearing parasitemia with sustained effectiveness post-administration. Notably, it is active against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum malaria. The drug is rapidly and fully absorbed following intramuscular injection. The peak blood concentration achieved approximately 7 hours after a 10mg/kg injection is around 0.8μg/ml, with a plasma half-life of roughly 13 hours. Artemether is widely distributed in the body, with the highest concentrations in the brain, then liver and kidneys. Its primary route of excretion is through feces, and part of the drug is eliminated through urine.

This drug is also available in the form of oral suspension. It is also available in combination with Lumefantrine (powder for suspension and tablets).

AdvaCare Pharma is a GMP-certified manufacturer and exporter of Artemether Injection. This solution is produced in our facilities located in China, India, and the USA. We regularly inspect our manufacturing facilities to ensure our products meet quality and safety standards.

AdvaCare Pharma, a US-owned pharmaceutical company, is a manufacturer of Artemether Injection with GMP-compliant manufacturing facilities located worldwide. We conduct frequent GMP, third-party and internal facility inspections to ensure that our manufactured injectable treatments exceed the stringent requirements of importing countries and our distributors.

As a renown Artemether manufacturer and global supplier of 120+ pharmaceutical injection products, our global reach extends to over 65 markets ensuring that pharmaceutical distributors, hospitals, pharmacies, NGOs and government institutions receive the quality-assured treatments they need.

What is Artemether used for?

It is used to treat drug-resistant strains of malaria, p. falciparum and p. vivax. The injectable form of this medication is specifically used for severe malaria.

How should Artemether Injection be used?

This medication is manufactured as a solution, which is packaged in ampoules. It is given by injection into a large muscle. It should only be administered by a doctor or healthcare provider. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests an intramuscular injection because this drug is dissolved in oil and might be absorbed more slowly and erratically than other antimalarial drugs.

What dose of Artemether Injection should be given?

For adults, the usual dosage is: • 3.2mg/kg, followed by a 1.6mg/kg dose, until oral medication can be taken, or for a maximum of 7 days.

For children over 6 months, the usual dosage is: • 3.2mg/kg, followed by a 1.6mg/kg dose, until oral medication can be taken, or for a maximum of 7 days.

Refer to a doctor or pharmacist for guidelines on dosage. Do not exceed what they advise.

Can patients with hepatic or renal impairments use this drug?

Patients with renal or hepatic impairments may need specific dosage adjustments. Most of the patients that have malaria have some degree of renal or hepatic disorder.

Can Artemether Injection be given to pregnant women?

Artemether is known as one of the best drug choices for the treatment process of malaria in pregnancies. During the first trimester of the pregnancy, there is no evidence of the drug's efficacy, but this drug is safe in the second and third trimesters. There are a few side effects due to this drug. The WHO supports this drug during pregnancies in women. However, the disease might lead to some serious adverse pregnancy and neonatal side effects. This includes maternal anemia, severe malaria, stillbirths, preterms, intrauterine growth restriction, spontaneous abortions, congenital malaria, and maternal and neonatal mortality.

Are there any significant side effects of this drug?

This drug can reduce the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives.

Can Artemether Injection be given to children?

Yes, Artemether Injection can be used in children, particularly in African countries, to treat severe malaria. While it is not officially recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), intramuscular injections can prevent children from dying due to severe malaria and reduce the incidence of brain damage in children.

Can Artemether Injection be given to geriatric patients?

Yes, this drug can be used in older patients. Special considerations, including the dosage of the drug, the hepatic or renal function of the patients, and concomitant diseases, should be noted.

Is only Artemether Injection enough for the treatment of malaria?

The treatment process for malaria is complex, and it can include a combination of different antimalarial drugs. The treatment process depends on the disease severity, the Plasmodium species, and the patient's current health condition. Some treatment procedures include a combination of antimalarial drugs and antibiotics. Antiemetics can also be added if the patient is vomiting. Delayed hemolysis is possible during the treatment process, so it is recommended to monitor the hemoglobin levels in cases of malaria.

This disease has a high mortality, especially in children below 5 years. It is important to prepare a good treatment protocol for the younger population.

Other warnings

As with all pharmaceuticals, some unwanted effects can occur from the use of Artemether.

For a comprehensive list of all possible effects, consult a doctor.

The most common side effects that have occurrence of more than 30% in adults are headaches, dizziness, asthenia, arthralgia, myalgia, and anorexia. In children, the most common side effects that have occurred more than 12% are coughing, vomiting, headaches, anorexia, and pyrexia.

If any symptoms persist or worsen, or you notice any other symptom, then please call your doctor immediately.

There may be some interactions that should be avoided, such as with other anti-malaria medication or antibiotics (this is not a full list of all possible interactions). Consult with your doctor about any medications you are taking before your treatment with Artemether.

The use of Artemether during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be limited and only used when the benefits outweigh any risks. Consult your doctor before using Artemether.

Driving or operating machinery should be avoided, as it may cause dizziness.

This drug should be given in a 1-ml syringe for the treatment process in children to ensure that the correct dose is given. If cerebral or complicated malaria is being treated, there is a need for a general supporting therapy.

Concomitant use of some antibiotics should be avoided. This includes the antibiotic erythromycin. Also, terfenadine, procainamide, disopyramide, quinidine, amiodarone, bretylium, bepridil, sotalol, probucol, astemizole, tricyclic antidepressants, and phenothiazines.

Avoid this drug if the patient has a hypersensitivity to Artemether. Rifampin, carbamazepine, and phenytoin should not be used at the same time as this drug because they are inducers of CYP3A4.

This drug should be avoided in patients with QT prolongation. Also, it should be avoided in patients with hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia. Drugs that prolongate the QT interval are also contraindicated.

This drug should not be added as a prevention. It should be added only if there is a clear diagnosis of malaria.

Comparison of artemether and chloroquine for severe malaria in Gambian children

The main objective of this research was to investigate the efficacy of artemether in children with moderate or severe falciparum malaria.

It included 30 Gambian children who were randomized in pairs to receive either intramuscular artemether (4mg/kg loading dose followed by 2mg/kg daily) or intramuscular chloroquine 3.5mg base/kg every 6 h.

Parasite clearance was significantly shorter in the artemether recipients (mean 36·7 [SD 11·3] vs 48·4 [16·8] h, p < 0·05).

The conclusion of this study is that artemether is a well-tolerated and rapidly effective parenteral treatment for severe malaria in children. This drug is recommended in areas with chloroquine-resistant P falciparum.