Artesunate is a rapidly acting artemisinin derivative used to treat malaria, including severe malaria.
Artesunate acts rapidly against malaria parasites in the blood. Injectable artesunate is particularly important in the initial treatment of severe malaria because treatment needs to begin promptly and the person may be unable to take medicines orally.
After initial parenteral treatment for severe malaria, treatment is generally completed with an appropriate full course of an oral antimalarial combination when the patient is able to take oral medicines.
QUICK FACT
Artesunate is not the same thing as artemisinin. Artesunate is a water-soluble derivative of artemisinin developed for therapeutic use.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Artemether: Both are artemisinin derivatives, but they are different medicines and have different formulations and pharmacological properties.
SEE ALSO
