At Artemether it is a so-called chemotherapeutic agent, which in Germany is only prescribed for the treatment of the special malaria tropica and sold in pharmacies as Riamet®. In comparison to other drugs of this type, it is rarely prescribed in Germany and is also suitable for self-treatment.
What is Artemether?
Artemether, which is offered in conjunction with Lumefrantrin as Riamet®, is used to treat uncomplicated tropic malaria and is administered in tablet form. The drug is suitable for self-treatment and can completely cure the diseases in almost all cases.
Artemether, however, is not suitable for preventing malaria and is considered to be highly effective in conjunction with lumefantrine. Side effects are known, but they occur relatively rarely. Research is currently being carried out into using Artemether in cancer treatment.
Pharmacological effect
The effect of Artemether is based on the release of free radicals, which can destroy biological tissue by means of a chain reaction. Artemether works only when there is a high concentration of iron in the patient's body.
This occurs, among other things, when the so-called plasmodia, which in this case are the causative agents of tropical malaria, have nested in the body and are already multiplying there. Artemether releases the mentioned free radicals and the pathogens are seriously damaged and destroyed as a result. Since it is a substance that is very easily soluble in fat, the drug should best be taken during a sufficiently high-fat meal in order to ensure rapid absorption and thus a rapid effect of the drug.
Artemether should not affect any other organs or body functions unless there are side effects. Artemether, if it is taken in the form of Riamet, as mentioned at the beginning, is very effective and well tolerated by malaria patients. The effect should occur after a maximum of 72 hours, according to a study, a healing rate of 96% is available after about 28 days.
Medical application & use
Artemether is prescribed in Germany under the name Riamet®, which not only contains the aforementioned drug, but also lumefantrine. This combination of two drugs is used for the treatment of the relatively harmless, simple malaria tropica and is therefore hardly common in Germany.
Artemether is used exclusively for self-treatment of malaria in situations in which no doctor or hospital can be found in the immediate vicinity. It has an acute effect and is therefore not suitable for preventing malaria when traveling to the relevant countries. Furthermore, the treatment must not be carried out if the patient is not at least twelve years old and has weighed more than 35 kilograms.
Treatment with Artemether must be done quickly. Even under these circumstances, the drug does not have a long-term effect, as the half-life in the body is only about two hours before the drug is broken down again by an enzyme in life. Artemether should not be taken alone, but only in combination with the aforementioned lumefantrine, as otherwise resistance to the active ingredient in Artemether can develop quickly and the drug loses its effect.
Risks & side effects
Known side effects of Artemether include rapid headaches and persistent dizziness, which occurs as a result of lowering blood pressure. In the case of known problems with blood pressure, treatment with Artemether is therefore usually not effective.
Indigestion and persistent bloating and / or diarrhea can also be the result of taking Artemether. The drug should also not be given if the patient has been diagnosed with heart disease. The active ingredients of Artemether have also led to the drug's effectiveness in the treatment of cancer being investigated.
From a medical point of view, this is a side effect, even if it cannot be described as undesirable in this case. Artemether can be used on people of all ages and genders after the age of twelve and also during pregnancy.
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