On this page
Therapeutic action
- Antimalarial
Indications
- Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria
- Completion treatment following parenteral therapy for severe falciparum malaria
Forms and strengths
- Artesunate (AS) tablets and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) tablets, in blister packs, for a complete treatment for one individual
- There are 4 different blister packs:
- Child < 25 kg:
blister pack with 3 tab AS 50 mg and 1 tab SP 500/25 mg - Child 25 to < 50 kg:
blister pack with 6 tab AS 50 mg and 2 tab SP 500/25 mg - Child ≥ 50 kg and adult:
blister pack with 12 tab AS 50 mg and 3 tab SP 500/25 mg
or blister pack with 6 tab AS 100 mg and 3 tab SP 500/25 mg
- Child < 25 kg:
Dosage and duration
- Artesunate is administered once daily for 3 days.
Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine is administered as a single dose on D1, with the first dose of artesunate.
Weight |
Blister pack |
D1 |
D2 |
D3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
5 to < 10 kg |
3 tab AS50 + 1 tab SP |
½ tab AS + ½ tab SP |
½ tab AS |
½ tab AS |
10 to < 25 kg |
3 tab AS50 + 1 tab SP |
1 tab AS + 1 tab SP |
1 tab AS |
1 tab AS |
25 to < 50 kg |
6 tab AS50 + 2 tab SP |
2 tab AS + 2 tab SP |
2 tab AS |
2 tab AS |
≥ 50 kg and adult |
12 tab AS50 + 3 tab SP |
4 tab AS + 3 tab SP |
4 tab AS |
4 tab AS |
6 tab AS100 + 3 tab SP |
2 tab AS + 3 tab SP |
2 tab AS |
2 tab AS |
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with allergy to sulfonamides.
- May cause: see artesunate and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine.
- Do not use in combination with co-trimoxazole.
- Do not give folic acid on the same day SP is administered, or within 2 weeks thereafter.
- Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED during the first trimester (risk of neural tube defects); no contra-indication during the 2nd and 3rd trimester
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
Storage
–
– Below 30 °C
Leave tablets in blisters until use. Once a tablet is removed from its blister, it must be administered immediately.
If half tablets are used, remaining half tablets may be given to another patient if administered within 24 hours.
Leave tablets in blisters until use. Once a tablet is removed from its blister, it must be administered immediately.
If half tablets are used, remaining half tablets may be given to another patient if administered within 24 hours.