Medicines/Generics/Dihydroartemisinin

Dihydroartemisinin

Generic medicine reference

Not yet clinically reviewed

This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.

Spot an error in this entry? Submit a correction

Overview

Dihydroartemisinin has strong schizonticidal action, but has no effect on exoerythrocytic, sporogony and gametocyte fonns and is used as antimalarial drug. Dihydroartemisinin, is a drug with biological action of Artesunate and Artemether. Active mechanism of Dihydroartemisinin has not been known fully. Some researches suggest that the drug concentrates selectively into cells contracted by parasites and reacts with hemin (hemozoin), to kill the parasites. This reaction produces poisonous free radicals that can destroy membranes of parasites in vitro.

Indications

Dihydroartemisinin is primarily indicated in conditions like Malaria, Malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum.

Contraindications

Dihydroartemisinin

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Dihydroartemisinin, which give rise to further complications include Neutropenia, ECG abnormalities, Prolongation of QI interval.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Dihydroartemisinin are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Arthralgia, Abdominal distress, Neutropenia, Pyrexia.

Warnings

Do not take in first trimester of pregnancy and in children less then 5 Kg weight.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.

Adult Dosage

2 to 10 mg/Kg (6 (6)) 24 hourly PO — It is available in combination with Pipraquine. Doses are calculated as mg/Kg/day. It is given for three days. Maximun 4 tablets each containing 40mg Dihydroartemisinin are indicated for upto 100 Kg weight patient. However, there are no data on which to base a dose recommendation in patients weighing >100kg.

Child Dosage

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Neonatal Dosage

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Drug Interactions

Dihydroartemisinin is known to interact with other drugs, the details of drug interactions is as follows:DrugDetailsSeverityOnsetManagementMefloquine (HCl)Concomitant administration of mefloquine and dihydroartemisinin leads to a modest increase in mefloquine absorption rate.VORICONAZOLEVoriconazole may increase the serum concentration of dihydroergotamine by decreasing its metabolism. Concomitant therapy is contraindicated. These interactions are sometimes beneficial and sometimes may pose threats to life. Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Storage

tablet Store at room temperature, Below -20°C. Protect from Heat.