Artemether Injection

Artemether injection is a drug-resistant strain of malaria p. falciparum and p. vivax that is generated and used for therapy. It can be used alone or in combination (typically with lumefantrine) to treat malaria in both adults and children. Its primary component is artemether, a very potent antimalarial that has been demonstrated to reduce fever in as little as 32-48 hours. It comes as a solution for injections, which should only be delivered by your doctor or healthcare practitioner into a major muscle.

Before taking Artemether Injection, always visit your doctor or pharmacist. If your situation does not improve or worsen, consult your doctor. Driving or using heavy machinery should be avoided since it may cause dizziness. Artemether Injection should not be used if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in artemether; you have a history of irregular heartbeats, liver or renal illness; you have serious cardiac issues, or you have low blood potassium or magnesium levels.

When injectable artesunate is unavailable, the WHO recommends intramuscular artemether injection as an alternative therapeutic option. Artemether is dissolved in oil and hence absorbs more slowly and irregularly than artesunate; consequently, it is only suggested if injectable artesunate is unavailable. Injectable artemether should be administered for at least 24 hours, or until the patient can tolerate a full course of oral ACT treatment. In contrast to injectable quinine, injectable artemether is advised.

Indications for Artemether Injection:

Artemether is a lipid-soluble methyl ether of dihydroartemisinin with fast schizontocidal action against P. falciparum and P. vivax blood forms. Peak plasma concentrations are reached within 6 hours of intramuscular injection. Artemether has been shown to reduce fever in severe falciparum malaria patients between 32-84 hours.

Treatment of severe falciparum malaria with slide confirmation in places where quinine has been shown to be ineffective. A full dosage of an effective oral antimalarial, such as mefloquine, should then be administered to achieve a complete cure.

Uses of Artemether Injection: 

• When injectable artesunate is not accessible, there is an alternative in the form of Artemether Injection
• Used for malaria treatment in extreme cases.
• When prolonged vomiting prevents oral medication, this is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria.