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Artesunate is used to treat severe malaria. It works by killing parasites that cause malaria. Common side effects of artesunate include blood in the urine, jaundice, and kidney damage. Keep all appointments for blood tests. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice that your urine is dark in color, as this could be a sign of a serious side effect called hemolytic anemia.

Uses

What is artesunate used for?

Artesunate (artesunate) is used to treat severe malaria (an infection from parasites that can lead to death, often from a mosquito bite).

Artesunate may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does artesunate work (mechanism of action)?

Artesunate works by killing parasites that cause malaria.

How is artesunate supplied (dosage forms)?

Artesunate is available in an injectable form that is given by a health care provider.

How should I store artesunate?

Artesunate is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of artesunate?

The most common side effects of artesunate are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Kidney damage (see below)
  • Jaundice (see below)
  • Blood in the urine

There may be other side effects of artesunate that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of artesunate?

While less common, the most serious side effects of artesunate are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Artesunate may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Hemolytic Anemia. Artesunate may cause your red blood cells to be destroyed, which is called hemolytic anemia. Your health care provider may run tests to see if you have hemolytic anemia. Keep all appointments for blood tests, even for up to a month after you finish using this medicine. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice that your urine is dark in color, since this could be a sign of hemolytic anemia.

Jaundice. Artesunate may cause jaundice, where your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellowish in color. Call your health care provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms.

  • Yellowish eyes or skin
  • Stool (poop) that is clay-colored
  • Dark urine (pee)
  • Itchiness

Kidney Damage. Kidney damage can happen when taking artesunate. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of kidney damage.

  • Reduced need to pee
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Difficulty catching your breath or chest pain/pressure
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Seizures

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use artesunate?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use artesunate.

  • Artesunate
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific artesunate products they stock.

What should I know about artesunate before using it?

Artesunate is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic.

What should I tell my health care provider before using artesunate?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if artesunate is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Artesunate may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using artesunate, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how artesunate could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant while taking artesunate, contact your health care provider right away.

If you use artesunate while you are pregnant, you can sign up for a pregnancy safety study by calling 855-526-4827 or at www.amivas.com/our-products.

Breastfeeding. Artesunate passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use artesunate while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does artesunate interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between artesunate and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect artesunate, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does artesunate interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking artesunate.

  • Ritonavir (Norvir) or nevirapine, which are medicines commonly used to treat HIV
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine used to control seizures
  • Axitinib (Inlyta), which is a medicine for a certain type of kidney cancer
  • Vandetanib (Caprelsa), which is a medicine for a certain type of thyroid cancer
  • Imatinib (Gleevec, Imkeldi), which is a medicine used to treat leukemia
  • Diclofenac (Cambia, Licart, Zipsor), which is a medicine used for pain or migraine

Some other drugs may alter the blood levels of artesunate. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with artesunate. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much artesunate?

If you or someone else has used too much artesunate, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of artesunate?

Artesunate is usually given by a health care provider in a clinic or hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving artesunate as scheduled.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of artesunate even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to artesunate or other similar medicines.