ARTEMETHER 150MG/2ML (INJECTION)

Name of the medicinal product:

Corither AB Injection

Composition:

Artemether 150mg/2ml

Description:

Arteether is an ethyl ether derivative of artemisinin, which is a natural product of the medicinal plant Artemisia annua. It is used as a second line drug in severe cases of malaria.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics
Alpha-Beta Arteether is a fast acting blood schizonticidal agent for P. falciparum malaria at the erythrocytic stage. α-β Arteether is concentrated in parasitized erythrocytes and interacts with haeme in the parasite by virtue of its endoperoxide bridge. Iron mediated cleavage of the bridge releases a highly reactive free radicals species that binds to membrane proteins, which leads to lipid peroxidation, damage to endoplasmic reticulum and inhibits protein synthesis, which results in lysis of the malarial parasite

Pharmacokinetics
Alpha-Beta Arteether (IM) is quickly absorbed from the injection site reaching therapeutic levels within the first hour. It is metabolised in the liver to the de-ethylated derivative dihydroartemisinin. It has an elimination half-life of ~ 24 hr and is more stable than the other artemisinin compounds.

Indications:

• Arteether is an anti-malarial used for the treatment of severe falciparum malaria active against P. falciparum strains that are resistant to chloroquine, mefloquine, halofantrine, quinine, pyrimethamine, cycloguanil and amodiaquine.
• Alpha/beta arteether is also used for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

Dosage and Administration:

Alpha/beta Arteether in Adults:
Intramuscular injection of one ampoule, containing 150mg / arteether, daily for 3 consecutive days (i.e. total dose 450 mg irrespective of body weight or 3mg/kg/day for a 50kg adult).

Child dose:
Intramuscular injection of 3mg / arteether/kg body weight daily for 3 consecutive days.

Contraindications

Alpha-Beta Arteether injection is contraindicated in patients hypersensitive to artemisinin derivatives,