Artemether

Artemether is a medication used for the treatment of malaria. The injectable form is specifically used for severe malaria rather than quinine. It may not be as effective as artesunate. It is given by injection in a muscle. It is also available by mouth in combination with lumefantrine, known as artemether/lumefantrine. Artemether is a medication used for the treatment of malaria. The injectable form is specifically used for severe malaria rather than quinine. It may not be as effective as artesunate. It is given by injection in a muscle. It is also available by mouth in combination with lumefantrine, known as artemether/lumefantrine. Artemether causes relatively few side effects. An irregular heartbeat may rarely occur. While there is evidence that use during pregnancy may be harmful in animals models, there is no evidence of concerns in humans. The World Health Organization therefore recommends it use during pregnancy. It is in the artemisinin class of medication. Artemether has been studied since at least 1981 and been in medical use since 1987. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The wholesale cost in the developing world is between US$0.38 and US$16.47 per vial. The combination form cost between US$100 and US$200 for a course of treatment in the United States. Artemether is an antimalarial drug for uncomplicated malaria caused by  P. falciparum (and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum) or chloroquine-resistant P. vivax parasites. Artemether can also be used to treat severe malaria. The World Health Organization recommends the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum with artemisinin-based combination therapy. Given in combination with lumefantrine, it may be followed by a 14-day regimen of primaquine to prevent relapse of P. vivax or P. ovale malarial parasites and provide a complete cure. Artemether can also be used in treating and preventing trematode infections of schistosomiasis when used in combination with praziquantel. Artemether is rated category C by the FDA based on animal studies where artemisinin derivatives have shown an association with fetal loss and deformity. Some studies, however, do not show evidence of harm. Possible side effects include cardiac effects such as bradycardia and QT interval prolongation. Also, possible central nervous system toxicity has been shown in animal studies. Plasma artemether level was found to be lower when the combination product was used with lopinavir/ritonavir. There is also decreased drug exposure associated with concurrent use with efavirenz or nevirapine.