DIHYDROARTEMISININ/PIPERAQUINE = DHA/PPQ 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 dihydroartemisinin (DHA)/piperaquine (PPQ), in blister pack, for a complete treatment for one individual
    • There are 5 different blister packs:
      • 20 mg DHA/160 mg PPQ tablets   blister pack of 3 tablets
      • 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets   blister pack of 3 tablets
      • 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets   blister pack of 6 tablets
      • 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets   blister pack of 9 tablets
      • 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets   blister pack of 12 tablets

    Dosage and duration

    • Child 5 to < 25 kg: 2.5 to 10 mg/kg daily of DHA + 20 to 32 mg/kg daily of PPQ
    • Child 25 kg and over and adult: 2 to 10 mg/kg daily of DHA + 16 to 27 mg/kg daily of PPQ

     

    Weight

    20 mg/160 mg tablet

    40 mg/320 mg tablet

    5 to < 8 kg

    1 tab

    8 to < 11 kg

    1½ tab

    11 to < 17 kg

    1 tab

    17 to < 25 kg

    1½ tab

    25 to < 36 kg

    2 tab

    36 to < 60 kg

    3 tab

    60 to < 80 kg

    4 tab

    ≥ 80 kg

    5 tab

     

    • Tablets are to be taken once daily for 3 days.

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not administer in the event of cardiac disorders (bradycardia, heart rhythm disorders, congestive heart failure).
    • Do not combine with drugs that prolong the QT interval: amiodarone, other antimalarials, antipsychotics, fluconazole, fluoroquinolones, hydroxyzine, macrolides, ondansetron, etc.
    • Administer with caution to patients > 60 years or with renal or hepatic impairment.
    • May cause: cardiac disorders (QT prolongation, tachycardia); rarely, gastrointestinal disturbances, pruritus, hepatic disorders, joint and muscle pain.
    • Monitor combination with: antiretrovirals (increased blood levels of these drugs), enzymes inducers such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital (reduced blood levels of DHA/PPQ).
    • 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.
    • Pregnancy: no contra-indication
    • Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

    Remarks

    • Take 3 hours before or after meals, with a glass of water.
    • The tablets may be crushed and mixed with water.

    Storage

     
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    - Below 25 °C