Home Drug Guide Artesunate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Artesunate

Brand Names Artesunate

Classification

Therapeutic: Antimalarial

Pharmacological: Artemisinin derivative

FDA Approved Indications

  • Treatment of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Mechanism of Action

Artesunate produces reactive oxygen species and free radicals, which damage the parasite's proteins and membranes, leading to parasite death.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Administer IV injection as per severity, typically 2.4 mg/kg at 0, 12, and 24 hours, then daily for 7 days.

Pediatric: Same dosing based on weight; specific protocols vary by age and severity.

Geriatric: Adjust dosage based on renal and hepatic function, no specific change recommended without renal/hepatic impairment.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dosage if necessary; monitor renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor liver function.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed IV; oral bioavailability less relevant as IV is primary route.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses placenta, limited data on breast milk.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver, primarily via phase I oxidative reactions.

Excretion: Excreted through biliary/fecal pathways; minimal urinary excretion.

Half Life: Approximately 1 hour.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to artesunate or artemisinin derivatives.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with G6PD deficiency, as hemolysis risk is increased.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Common)
  • Headache (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Transient leukopenia (Rare)
  • Hemolytic anemia (Rare)
  • Anaphylaxis (Very rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Potential CYP450 interactions; monitor when used with other hepatically metabolized drugs.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for allergic reactions, hemolysis, liver and renal function.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection due to parasitic load
  • Potential hemolytic reaction in G6PD deficiency

Implementation: Administer IV as prescribed, monitor vital signs, and laboratory parameters.

Evaluation: Assess parasite clearance and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report any signs of allergic reaction, hemolysis, or severe side effects.
  • Complete the full course of therapy.
  • Inform about possible side effects like headache, nausea.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Potential risk of hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient patients.

Genetic Factors: Screen for G6PD deficiency in high-risk populations.

Lab Test Interference: May alter some blood tests, such as hemoglobin levels.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, anemia, hemolysis.

Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antidote. Dialysis generally not effective.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, protected from light.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the duration specified by manufacturer.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.