Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet is a fixed-dose combination of two antimalarial drugs, artesunate and amodiaquine, used to treat acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, including multidrug-resistant strains. It is taken by mouth once a day for 3 days and works by combining a fast-acting component with a longer-lasting one to clear the parasite and reduce the risk of resistance. This medicine is not meant to prevent malaria, only to treat an active infection.

What is Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet

This medicine combines two drugs, artesunate and amodiaquine, into one tablet to treat malaria. It is a fixed-dose combination therapy designed to clear the malaria parasite quickly and help prevent the parasite from becoming resistant to treatment.

Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet uses

• Treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, including multidrug-resistant strains
• Treatment of falciparum malaria, including cerebral malaria
• Used as a follow-up oral treatment after finishing intravenous therapy for severe malaria

Benefits of Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet

• Clears malaria parasites from the blood quickly
• Combination of two drugs helps reduce the risk of the parasite developing resistance
• Can be taken by mouth as tablets rather than by injection

How Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet works

One part of this medicine (artesunate) acts fast to kill most of the malaria parasites in the blood. The other part (amodiaquine) stays in the body longer and mops up the remaining parasites, which helps stop the infection from coming back quickly.

Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet dosage

This medicine is taken by mouth once a day for 3 days. Do not use this combination to prevent malaria — it is meant only for treating an active infection. Avoid driving or operating machinery while taking this medicine because it can cause dizziness.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Artesunate + Amodiaquine Tablet

Common

• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and general stomach discomfort
• Fatigue, weakness, fever, and headache
• Dizziness
• Temporary increases in liver enzymes or mild drops in red blood cells
• Diarrhea, skin rash, itching

Serious

• Severe drop in white blood cells (agranulocytosis) — watch for sudden fever, severe sore throat, tonsillitis, or mouth ulcers
• Severe hepatitis or liver injury, including jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Irregular heartbeat
• Double vision (diplopia)

Warnings and precautions

• Never use this combination to prevent malaria. Using it repeatedly for prevention greatly increases the risk of severe liver damage and blood problems.
• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to artesunate or amodiaquine, if you have had liver injury or blood problems from amodiaquine before, or if you are taking certain HIV medicines like efavirenz.
• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to the active ingredients or any other ingredient in it, or if you have had a blood problem during previous amodiaquine treatment.
• Do not use this medicine if you have had liver injury during previous treatment with amodiaquine, since this medicine can cause serious liver damage.
• No validated dosage adjustment is established for patients with renal impairment. Significant kidney disease requires specialist evaluation.
• Avoid alcohol during treatment because it may worsen dizziness and place additional stress on the liver.
• Avoid driving or operating machinery while taking this medicine, since it can cause dizziness.
• Using this medicine during pregnancy has not been shown to cause problems for the baby, but you should talk to your doctor before taking it.
• Using this medicine while breastfeeding has not been shown to cause problems for the baby, but check with your doctor first.

Storage

• Keep below 30 °C; do not store in extreme heat or direct sunlight.
• Leave tablets inside their original blister packs and outer cartons to protect the active ingredients—particularly artesunate—from moisture and high relative humidity.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice sudden fever, a severe sore throat, tonsillitis, or mouth ulcers, as these can be signs of a serious drop in white blood cells.
• Call your doctor right away if your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, as this can be a sign of serious liver damage.
• Seek medical attention if you have an irregular heartbeat, double vision, or dizziness that concerns you.

Alternatives

• Artemether + Lumefantrine
• Dihydroartemisinin + Piperaquine
• Artesunate + Mefloquine