Artemether

Absorption

Absorption of artemether is rapid when administered orally, reaching its maximal concentrations within 2 hours and entering extensive first-pass metabolism. Its principal active metabolite is DHA. Artemether is highly protein bound (>90%) to α1-acid glycoprotein, albumin, and lipoproteins.

Toxicity

Animal studies on acute toxicity show that the LD50 of Artemether in mice is a single i.g. administration of 895mg/kg and a single i.m. injection of 296mg/kg dose; in rats, the LD50 is a single i.m. injection of 597mg/kg dose.

Description

Artemether is an antiparasitic compound and a derivative of artemisinin . It induces mortality in adult wild-type and pfatp6-mutant P. falciparum but the efficacy is decreased in the mutants (IC₅₀s = 8.2 and 13.5 nM, respectively). Artemether reduces parasitemia in P. falciparum-infected monkeys and P. berghei-infected mice with 50% curative dose (CD₅₀) values of 7.1 and 55 mg/kg, respectively. It also reduces the worm burden of S. mansoni trematodes in mice when used at doses ranging from 200 to 500 mg/kg. Formulations containing artemether have been used in the treatment of malaria.

Chemical properties

White Solid

The Uses of Artemether

Artemether and lumefantrine combination therapy is indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, including malaria acquired in chloroquine-resistant areas. May also be used to treat uncomplicated malaria when

The Uses of Artemether

Derivative of Artemisinin (A777500). Antimalarial, used to treat strains of malaria which are multi-drug resistant.

The Uses of Artemether

atypical antidepressant, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, and nicotinic antagonist

Background

Artemether is an antimalarial agent used to treat acute uncomplicated malaria. It is administered in combination with lumefantrine for improved efficacy. This combination therapy exerts its effects against the erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium spp. and may be used to treat infections caused by P. falciparum and unidentified Plasmodium species, including infections acquired in chloroquine-resistant areas.

Indications

Artemether and lumefantrine combination therapy is indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, including malaria acquired in chloroquine-resistant areas. May also be used to treat uncomplicated malaria when the Plasmodium species has not been identified. Indicated for use in adults and children greater than 5 kg.

Definition

ChEBI: An artemisinin derivative that is artemisinin in which the lactone has been converted to the corresponding lactol methyl ether. It is used in combination with lumefantrine as an antimalarial for the treatment of multi-drug resistant strains of falcip rum malaria.

General Description

Artemisinin (ART) is a natural compound present in Artemisia annua, a traditional Chinese plant.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Artemether is a methyl ether derivative of artemisinin. It is used against multi-drug resistant strains of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, and shows potential in treatment of schistosomiasis.

Pharmacokinetics

In the body, artemether is metabolized into the active metabolite metabolite dihydroartemisinin. The drug works against the erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum by inhibiting nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Artemether is administered in combination with lumefantrine for improved efficacy. Artemether has a rapid onset of action and is rapidly cleared from the body. It is thought that artemether provides rapid symptomatic relief by reducing the number of malarial parasites. Lumefantrine has a much longer half life and is believed to clear residual parasites.

Safety Profile

Poison by intramuscular route.Experimental reproductive effects. When heated todecomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Definition

Artemether (ART) is used to treat multi-drug resistant strains of malaria. ART is a lipid-soluble drug developed for oral, rectal and intramuscular use formulated with dendritic micelles to enhance its water solubility. These micelles consisted of hydrophobic di-fluorene methoxycarbonyl-l-lysine (di-FMOC-l-lysine) as the core, conjugated to hydrophilic methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) chains, MPEG2000 and MPEG5000, forming G0.5 dendrimers. Subsequent generations (G1.5 and 2.5) were formed using lysine branching units conjugated to the core, followed by capping with MPEG chains. Solubility enhancement between factors 3-fold to 15-fold has been observed, depending on the concentration and size of the dendritic micelles. In addition, these formulations increased the stability of ART from 3–5 h to 1–2 days during in vitro testing.

Metabolism

Rapidly metablized to its active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin.

Side Effects

Some common side effects of Artemether are Headache, Dizziness, Loss of appetite, Weakness, Fever, Chills, Abdominal pain, Cough, and Trouble sleeping.

Some serious side effects of Artemether are Rash, Itching/, swelling, Severe dizziness, and Trouble breathing.

storage

Store at -20°C