Antimalarial Drug

Therapeutic category

Antimalarial drug for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria and multidrug resistant strain.

Dosage

Adult : 3 tablets at once, daily for 3 consecutive days, taken at the same time each day (total dose - 9 tablets)

Children :(13 to< 24 kg):1 tablet daily for 3 consecutive days.

(24 to <36 kg): 2 tablets daily for 3 consecutive days.

Composition

Each film-coated tablet contains:

Dihydroartemisinin ... 50 mg

Piperaquine Phosphate ... 350 mg.

Pharmacology

Dihydroartemisinin is very rapidly absorbed and the elimination half-life is approximately 1 hour. The dihydroartemisinin is highly active against both asexual and sexual forms of the four species of plasmodium.

Piperaquine, a highly lipophilic compound, is slowly absorbed and the elimination half-life is about 20 days. It pharmacokinetic profile as chloroquine phosphate.

Contraindication

It should not be used in pregnancy especially in first trimester and lactating mothers.

Untoward effects

Cough, pyrexia, anaemia, headache, dizziness, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, QTc prolonged tachycardia.

Presentation

10 x 9's blisters.