What is Rekmal Artesunate Injection 120mg?
Rekmal Artesunate Injection 120mg is a potent antimalarial medication containing Artesunate (120mg) as the active ingredient. It is manufactured by Lincoln Parenterals Ltd and marketed in Nigeria by Zolon Healthcare Limited.
Injectable artesunate is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian clinical guidelines as the first-line treatment for severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. It is used when oral medication cannot be tolerated due to vomiting, lethargy, or complications like cerebral malaria.
Key Features & Benefits
- Rapid Parasite Clearance: Quickly reduces the density of malaria parasites in the blood.
- Preferred First-Line Treatment: Highly effective for critical cases where rapid response is vital.
- Flexible Administration: Can be administered via slow Intravenous (IV) bolus or Intramuscular (IM) injection.
- Combi-pack Convenience: Typically includes the vial of artesunate powder and necessary diluents (Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Chloride).
Dosage and Administration
Rekmal 120mg must be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. The dosage is usually calculated based on body weight:
- Adults: 2.4 mg/kg body weight at 0, 12, and 24 hours, then daily.
- Children (<20kg): 3.0 mg/kg at 0, 12, and 24 hours.
Note: Once the patient can tolerate oral medication, the treatment must be completed with a full 3-day course of an oral Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT).
Important Safety Information
- Prescription Only: This is a Prescription-Only Medicine (POM) and should only be used under medical supervision.
- Storage: Store below 30°C and protect from light. Reconstituted solutions should be used within 1 hour.
- NAFDAC Registration: B4-1369.
If you have questions about the use of this medication for severe malaria treatment, you can contact a GoMed pharmacist for guidance.