Artesunate (Ridsunate) is an anti-malarial drug indicated for the initial treatment of severe malaria in adults and children.
How to Use Artesunate (Ridsunate)
Recommended Dosage
Intravenous injection at a dose of 2.4 mg/kg.
The first dose should be administered at time point 0 hour.
Subsequent doses should be given once each at 12 hours and 24 hours after the first dose.
After that, administer once daily until the patient can tolerate oral anti-malarial treatment.
Administration Method
Slow intravenous bolus injection, to be completed within 1-2 minutes.
Continuous intravenous infusion is prohibited.
It must be reconstituted with the accompanying diluent before use.
Dosage Adjustment of Artesunate (Ridsunate)
Adjustment Based on Adverse Reactions
Severe skin reactions: Immediate discontinuation is required if conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome occur.
QT interval prolongation: Discontinue the drug when QTcF ≥ 500 ms.
Gastrointestinal reactions: Consider reducing the dose or suspending administration in case of severe abdominal pain or diarrhea.
Dosage Adjustment for Patients with Hepatic Impairment
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 5-9): No dosage adjustment is needed.
Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score > 9): Limited data are available, so the drug should be used with caution.
Adjustment Related to Drug Interactions
When used in combination with dexamethasone, the dose of artesunate should be reduced by 50%.
When used in combination with methylprednisolone: The dose of the intravenous formulation of artesunate should be reduced by 25%, and the dose of the oral formulation should be reduced by 50%.
Medication for Special Populations of Artesunate (Ridsunate)
Pregnant Women
Animal studies have shown embryolethality and fetal malformations.
Human data are limited, but no significant risks have been identified.
The benefits of treating severe malaria usually outweigh the risks.
Pregnancy status should be confirmed before medication.
The potential fetal risks should be informed to the patient.
Treatment should not be delayed due to pregnancy.
Lactating Women
The active metabolite DHA (dihydroartemisinin) can pass into human milk.
The impact on breastfed infants is unknown.
The benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against the potential risks of the drug.
If the drug is used, the infant should be monitored for adverse reactions.
Pediatric Patients
Effective for children aged 6 months and above.
Limited data are available for infants under 6 months of age.
For children aged 6 months to 12 years: The oral suspension is recommended.
For children aged 12 years and above: Capsules can be used.
