ARTESUNATE/AMODIAQUINE = AS/AQ oral
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 | 1 tab | 1 tab | 1 tab |
≥ 36 kg | 100 mg AS/270 mg AQ base | 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.