About Diphos Powder 15mg / 120mg
A children's antimalarial powder used to treat confirmed malaria infection.
Diphos Powder Uses
- Confirmed uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children.
- Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax in some treatment protocols.
- Malaria treatment where a weight based pediatric dose is needed.
Diphos Powder Benefits
- A fast acting artemisinin component that clears parasites quickly from the blood.
- A longer acting partner drug that helps prevent the infection from coming back.
- A powder form that can be measured accurately for a child's body weight.
- A short treatment course compared to some older antimalarial regimens.
What Experts Say
Dihydroartemisinin is the active breakdown product of artemisinin based antimalarials, and it clears malaria parasites from the bloodstream faster than most older drugs. Piperaquine phosphate stays active in the body for a much longer time, which helps mop up any remaining parasites and lowers the chance of the infection returning.
This combination is generally reserved for confirmed cases of malaria, diagnosed through a blood test or rapid diagnostic kit rather than symptoms alone. A doctor calculates the exact dose based on the child's current body weight, since giving too little can allow the parasite to survive and become resistant.
Parents should complete the full course exactly as prescribed, even once fever and other symptoms improve after the first day or two. Any fast or irregular heartbeat, unusual tiredness or fainting during treatment needs prompt medical review, since the combination can occasionally affect heart rhythm.
Drug Class
- Artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT).
- Antimalarial agent.
Diphos Powder Uses in Urdu
- بچوں میں تصدیق شدہ ملیریا کے علاج میں۔
- فالسی پیرم ملیریا کی بروقت اور مکمل صفائی میں۔
- وزن کے مطابق درست خوراک درکار ہونے کی صورت میں۔
Diphos Powder 15mg / 120mg formula
- Dihydroartemisinin
- Piperaquine Phosphate
How to use Diphos Powder 15mg / 120mg?
- This powder is usually mixed with a small amount of water or juice just before each dose.
- The full course generally runs for 3 consecutive days, once daily, unless the doctor gives different instructions.
- A dose taken with food helps reduce the chance of stomach upset.
- Vomiting within an hour of a dose usually means the dose needs to be repeated, based on the doctor's advice.
- Doses are spaced at the same time each day to keep drug levels steady.
Drug Interactions
- QT Prolonging Medicines: Certain antibiotics, antifungals and antipsychotics can add to piperaquine's effect on heart rhythm.
- Other Antimalarials: Combining with another antimalarial drug is generally avoided unless specifically directed by a doctor.
- Grapefruit Juice: Grapefruit juice can raise piperaquine levels in the blood and is best avoided during treatment.
- CYP3A4 Inducing Medicines: Certain anti-seizure and anti-tuberculosis medicines can lower the effectiveness of this combination.
Risks and warnings
- Heart Rhythm: Piperaquine can affect the heart's electrical activity, so caution is needed in children with an existing heart rhythm problem.
- Other QT Prolonging Medicines: Combining with other medicines that affect heart rhythm needs careful medical review.
- Severe Malaria: This powder is meant for uncomplicated malaria; severe or complicated malaria needs hospital based injectable treatment.
- Liver Function: Caution is advised in children with existing liver disease.
- Recent Antimalarial Use: Recent treatment with another antimalarial should be discussed with the doctor before starting this combination.
Diphos Powder Side Effects
Most children tolerate this antimalarial powder reasonably well during the short treatment course.
- Headache.
- Loss of appetite.
- Mild stomach discomfort.
- Dizziness or tiredness.
Less common reactions need urgent medical attention if they occur.
- Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat.
- Fainting or severe dizziness.
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling or difficulty breathing.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Storage Conditions
- Store below 30 degrees Celsius in a dry place, away from direct sunlight.
- Keep the sachet or bottle tightly sealed when not preparing a dose.
- Keep out of reach and sight of children.
- Discard any unused mixed dose after the time noted on the pack insert.
