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.

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