Artinex Injection 80mg

About Artinex Injection 80mg

Uses

• Treatment of severe and complicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria
• Malaria management in hospitalized adults and children
• Used where multidrug resistant malaria is suspected

Benefits

• Rapidly reduces the number of malaria parasites in the blood
• Works faster than oral antimalarials in severe illness
• Suitable for patients who cannot take medicines by mouth due to vomiting or unconsciousness
• Important treatment option in regions of Pakistan with high malaria transmission

What Experts Say

Artemether belongs to a group of medicines derived from the artemisinin plant compound, known for clearing malaria parasites faster than older drugs like chloroquine. Given by injection into the muscle, it is reserved for severe malaria cases that need hospital level care.

Doctors typically follow this injection with a full course of oral antimalarial tablets once the patient can swallow safely. Stopping treatment early, even after symptoms improve, raises the risk of the infection returning and contributes to drug resistance developing over time.

Health workers monitor patients closely for heart rhythm changes and neurological symptoms during treatment, since artemisinin drugs can affect both in rare cases. Pregnant women in their first trimester are treated with this injection only when the risk of untreated severe malaria outweighs potential risks, under close medical supervision. Blood tests are usually repeated during the admission to confirm the parasite count is falling as expected.

Drug Class

Artinex belongs to the artemisinin derivative class of antimalarial medicines, working by disrupting the parasite's ability to survive inside red blood cells.

Artinex Injection 80mg formula

• Artemether

Available forms

• Injection

How to use Artinex Injection 80mg?

• Given only by trained medical staff as an intramuscular injection
• Dose is calculated based on the patient's body weight
• Usually given once daily for a set number of days as prescribed
• Followed by a complete course of oral antimalarial tablets
• Never self administer this injection at home

Drug Interactions

• Other QT Prolonging Medicines: Combining with certain heart or psychiatric drugs raises the risk of abnormal heart rhythm.
• Mefloquine: Sequential use requires medical timing to avoid interaction issues.
• CYP3A4 Inducing Drugs: Medicines like rifampicin can reduce artemether blood levels.
• Grapefruit Juice: May alter absorption and should be avoided during treatment.

Risks and warnings

• Hospital Use Only: This injection is given under medical supervision for severe malaria, never as a self treatment.
• Heart Rhythm Changes: Rare cases of abnormal heart rhythm have been reported with artemisinin drugs.
• Neurological Effects: High or prolonged doses have been linked to nerve related side effects in animal studies.
• Pregnancy: Used in the first trimester only when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk.
• Incomplete Treatment: Not completing the follow up oral course can lead to malaria relapse and drug resistance.

Artinex Injection Side Effects

• Pain or swelling at the injection site
• Fever
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Abnormal heart rhythm in rare cases

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30 degrees Celsius away from light
• Do not freeze the ampoules
• Keep in the original pack until ready to use
• Keep out of reach of children