ARTESUNATE/AMODIAQUINE = AS/AQ oral

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.
– Pregnancy: no 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.