Artemether 80mg Injection: Rapid Treatment for Severe Malaria

Artemether 80mg injection is a fast-acting antimalarial medicine used for the treatment of severe malaria, especially cerebral malaria, and cases where oral medicine is not possible due to persistent vomiting. It belongs to the artemisinin class of drugs, known for their ability to quickly reduce the number of malaria parasites in the blood.

How Artemether Injection Works

Artemether works by releasing free radicals that attack the protein of the malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum), leading to its rapid death. In Nigeria, it is considered a first-line treatment for complicated malaria cases that require urgent medical intervention.

Dosage and Administration

This medication must be administered as a deep intramuscular (IM) injection by a trained healthcare professional. It is not for intravenous (IV) use.

• Adult Dosage: A common regimen involves a loading dose of 160mg (2 ampoules) on the first day, followed by 80mg (1 ampoule) once daily for the next 4 days.
• Pediatric Dosage: Based on body weight; usually 3.2 mg/kg for the first dose, then 1.6 mg/kg daily.

Safety and Precautions

• Pregnancy: Artemether should be used with caution during pregnancy. It is generally avoided in the first trimester unless the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus. Always consult your doctor or a GoMed pharmacist before use.
• Allergies: This oily solution may contain carrier oils like peanut or tea seed oil. Inform your doctor if you have known nut allergies.
• Side Effects: Patients may experience dizziness, nausea, or pain at the injection site.

For more information or to discuss your prescription, you can contact a GoMed pharmacist for expert guidance.