ARTESUNATE/AMODIAQUINE = AS/AQ oral

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    Prescription under medical supervision

     

    Therapeutic action

    • Antimalarial

    Indications

    • Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria
    • Treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to other Plasmodium species, when chloroquine cannot be used
    • Completion treatment following parenteral therapy for severe malaria

    Forms and strengths

    • Co-formulated tablets of artesunate (AS)/amodiaquine (AQ), in blister packs, for a complete treatment for one individual
    • There are 4 different blister packs corresponding to 4 different categories of weight:
      • 25 mg AS/67.5 mg AQ base tablet   blister pack of 3 tablets
      • 50 mg AS/135 mg AQ base tablet    blister pack of 3 tablets
      • 100 mg AS/270 mg AQ base tablet  blister pack of 3 tablets
      • 100 mg AS/270 mg AQ base tablet  blister pack of 6 tablets

    Dosage and duration

    Tablets are to be taken once daily for 3 days.

     

    Weight

    Tablets

    D1

    D2

    D3

    4.5 to < 9 kg

    25 mg AS/67.5 mg AQ base

    1 tab

    1 tab

    1 tab

    9 to < 18 kg

    50 mg AS/135 mg AQ base

    1 tab

    1 tab

    1 tab

    18 to < 36 kg

    100 mg AS/270 mg AQ base
    blister pack of 3 tab

    1 tab

    1 tab

    1 tab

    ≥ 36 kg

    100 mg AS/270 mg AQ base
    blister pack of 6 tab

    2 tab

    2 tab

    2 tab

     

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer in the event of previous severe adverse reaction to treatment with amodiaquine (e.g. hypersensitivity reaction, hepatitis, leucopenia, agranulocytosis).
    • Do not administer to patients taking efavirenz.
    • Avoid combination with drugs that prolong QT interval: amiodarone, other antimalarials, antipsychotics, fluconazole, fluoroquinolones, hydroxyzine, macrolides, ondansetron, etc.
    • May cause: gastrointestinal disturbances, pruritus, somnolence or insomnia, cough.
    • If the patient vomits within 30 minutes after administration, re-administer the full dose. If the patient vomits between 30 minutes and 1 hour after administration, re-administer half of the dose.
    • Pregnancyno contra-indication
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • For patients unable to swallow the tablets (e.g. young children), the tablets can be dispersed by gentle agitation for approximately one minute in a small amount of water. After administration, give children some sugar or sugared water to cover amodiaquine’s bitter taste.

    Storage

     
    -
     
    - Below 30 °C 
     
    Leave tablets in blisters until use. Once a tablet is removed from its blister, it must be administered immediately.