Artesun 120mg Injection (Artesunate) – Gold Standard Treatment for Severe Malaria
Artesun 120mg Injection is the internationally recognized gold-standard treatment for severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Manufactured by Fosun Pharma (Guilin Pharmaceutical), it is the first artesunate injection to achieve World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification.
What is Artesun 120mg Used For?
Artesun is used for the initial treatment of complicated malaria in adults and children. It is often considered the best malaria injection in Nigeria for emergency care, especially when patients cannot take oral medications due to vomiting, seizures, or unconsciousness. It works rapidly to reduce the parasite load in the blood, significantly increasing survival rates compared to older treatments like Quinine.
Dosage and Administration
The standard dosage for Artesun 120mg is 2.4 mg/kg administered at 0, 12, and 24 hours, followed by a daily dose until the patient can tolerate oral medication.
- Intravenous (IV) injection: Recommended for fastest action.
- Intramuscular (IM) injection: An alternative if IV access is unavailable.
Important: This medication must be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting. After the initial injection course, the patient must complete a full 3-day course of an Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) tablet to ensure total clearance of the malaria parasite.
Composition (Combipack)
The Artesun "Combipack" presentation ensures stability and ease of use. It contains:
- 1 Vial of sterile Artesunate powder (120mg).
- 1 Ampoule of Sodium Bicarbonate (5%) for initial buffering.
- 1 Ampoule of Sodium Chloride (0.9%) for final dilution.
Is it Safe During Pregnancy?
Yes. Artesun is recommended for treating severe malaria in all trimesters of pregnancy according to both WHO and Nigerian national guidelines. Treating the life-threatening infection is the priority.
If you have questions about severe malaria treatment or need to verify a prescription, please contact a GoMed pharmacist for professional advice.