Artemisinin is a naturally occurring antimalarial compound originally isolated from Artemisia annua, a plant also known as sweet wormwood.
Artemisinin and its derivatives have potent activity against malaria parasites, particularly the blood-stage parasites responsible for clinical symptoms. Derivatives include artesunate, artemether, and dihydroartemisinin.
Artemisinin derivatives act rapidly but are not generally used alone to treat uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria because monotherapy increases the risk of treatment failure and resistance. They are instead used as part of recommended combination regimens.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT): a treatment regimen combining an artemisinin derivative with a partner antimalarial medicine.
- Artesunate: a specific derivative of artemisinin used in oral combination therapies and in injectable treatment for severe malaria.
SEE ALSO
