ACME Artesunate Injection 120mg
ACME Artesunate Injection 120mg is a rapid-acting antimalarial medication used for the initial treatment of severe and complicated malaria in both adults and children. It contains artesunate, an artemisinin derivative known for its ability to quickly reduce the number of malaria parasites in the blood.
What is ACME Artesunate Injection used for?
This product is specifically formulated for cases of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, where the patient may be experiencing complications like unconsciousness, organ failure, or the inability to take oral medicine. It is a critical-care treatment designed to stabilize patients before they can switch to oral antimalarial drugs.
Dosage and Administration
ACME Artesunate 120mg is intended for hospital use only and must be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. It can be given via:
- Intravenous (IV) Injection: Typically preferred for rapid effect in critical cases.
- Intramuscular (IM) Injection: Used when IV access is not immediately available.
The recommended dosage depends on body weight. For adults and children over 20kg, the standard dose is 2.4 mg/kg. For smaller children under 20kg, a dose of 3.0 mg/kg is often used. These injections are usually given at 0, 12, and 24-hour intervals.
Preparation and Reconstitution
The injection comes as a combipack containing a vial of sterile powder, a solvent (Sodium Bicarbonate), and a diluent (Sodium Chloride). To prepare the medication, the powder is first dissolved in the solvent and then further diluted before administration. The reconstituted solution should be used immediately.
Safety and Precautions
- Pregnancy: In severe malaria cases, artesunate is often used as a life-saving measure. However, its use during the first trimester of pregnancy should be carefully managed by a doctor.
- Completion of Treatment: Once the patient is able to swallow, they must complete a full 3-day course of an oral Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) to prevent the malaria from returning.
- Monitoring: Patients should be monitored for any signs of allergic reactions or delayed effects following treatment.
If you have questions about malaria treatment or need to find a pharmacy in Lagos or other parts of Nigeria, you can contact a GoMed pharmacist for professional guidance.