Artemether is a rapidly acting artemisinin derivative used in the treatment of malaria.
Artemether acts against malaria parasites during their blood stages and is commonly used in combination with another antimalarial medicine. One important combination is artemether-lumefantrine, an artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) used for uncomplicated malaria in many settings.
Artemether is also available in injectable formulations for certain clinical circumstances, although treatment choice and route depend on disease severity and applicable treatment guidelines.
QUICK FACT
Artemether is a derivative of artemisinin, not the same chemical compound as artemisinin itself.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Artesunate — Both are artemisinin derivatives, but they are different medicines with different pharmacological properties and formulations.
SEE ALSO