VHOSPITAL.CLINIC · Antiparasitic Treatment
Intravenous artesunate is the WHO-recommended treatment for severe malaria, replacing quinine as the gold standard due to faster parasite clearance and lower mortality.
Artesunate is a water-soluble artemisinin derivative that can be given IV/IM. It generates reactive oxygen species inside infected erythrocytes, rapidly clearing high-density parasitaemia and reducing fatal complications.
IV artesunate: 2.4 mg/kg at 0, 12, and 24 hours, then daily. Switch to oral ACT once the patient can tolerate oral medication. Hospitalisation required for severe cases.
This is a general reference. Always follow your physician's prescription and current treatment guidelines.
The WHO AQUAMAT trial showed artesunate reduced mortality by 22.5% versus quinine in severe malaria. It also has fewer cardiac side effects and is easier to administer.
PADH is a recognised complication occurring 2–4 weeks after IV artesunate in patients who had high parasitaemia. Haemoglobin can drop significantly. All patients should have a haemoglobin check 4 weeks post-treatment.
Yes. IV artesunate is the treatment of choice for severe malaria in children. Rectal artesunate pre-referral is recommended in settings where IV access is unavailable.
By treating Malaria, Artesunate addresses these associated symptoms:
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