Gen-M injection 120mg

About Gen-M injection 120mg

Gen-M Injection 120mg Uses

• Treats severe and complicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
• First-line emergency treatment for cerebral malaria
• Used when a patient cannot take oral antimalarial tablets
• Manages malaria with high parasite counts in the blood
• Used in hospital settings before switching to oral antimalarial therapy

Gen-M Injection 120mg Benefits

• Works faster than oral antimalarials in reducing parasite load
• Lowers the risk of death from severe malaria compared to older quinine based injections
• Can be given by IV or IM route, useful for critically ill patients
• Reduces the chance of malaria complications like organ failure

What Experts Say

Artesunate is the WHO-recommended first-line treatment for severe malaria worldwide, replacing quinine due to a stronger survival benefit shown in large clinical trials. It works by rapidly killing malaria parasites at multiple stages of their blood cycle, which explains why parasite counts fall faster than with older drugs.

Doctors typically give artesunate injection for at least 24 hours, with doses repeated at 0, 12, and 24 hours, before switching the patient to a complete oral course of artemisinin combination therapy. This follow-on oral course is essential, since stopping treatment after the injection alone raises the risk of the infection returning.

Physicians monitor patients closely during and after artesunate therapy because delayed hemolytic anemia can develop up to several weeks after treatment, particularly in those who had very high parasite counts before starting therapy. Regular blood counts help catch this complication early and guide any need for further supportive care.

Drug Class

• Antimalarial (Artemisinin derivative)

Gen-M injection 120mg formula

• Artesunate

Available forms

• Injection

How to use Gen-M injection 120mg?

• Given only by trained healthcare staff in a hospital or clinic setting
• Standard dose is 2.4 mg per kg body weight, given as a slow IV or IM injection
• Children under 20kg receive a higher dose of 3 mg per kg body weight
• Doses are repeated at 0, 12, and 24 hours, then once daily if treatment continues
• Must be followed by a complete 3 day course of oral artemisinin combination therapy
• The injection is freshly prepared before each dose and not stored once mixed

Drug Interactions

• Mefloquine: Combined use requires caution due to overlapping effects on heart rhythm
• Other antimalarials: Should not be combined with other artemisinin based drugs outside a supervised combination regimen
• Hepatotoxic drugs: Caution when used with medicines that affect the liver, since Artesunate is liver metabolized
• Live vaccines: Vaccination may need to be delayed until recovery is complete

Risks and warnings

• Delayed anemia: Red blood cell counts can drop 1 to 4 weeks after treatment, so follow-up blood tests are advised
• Pregnancy: Use only if the benefit outweighs the risk, especially in the first trimester, and only under specialist supervision
• Allergic reactions: Rare but serious hypersensitivity reactions can occur during infusion
• Neurological symptoms: Severe malaria itself can cause seizures or confusion, so these are monitored alongside drug effects
• Not for prevention: This injection treats active infection only, it is not a preventive medicine

Gen-M Injection 120mg Side Effects

• Pain or swelling at the injection site
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mild fever after the dose
• Headache and dizziness
• Drop in red blood cell count (anemia)
• Low white blood cell or platelet count
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Rare allergic skin reactions

Storage Conditions

• Store the unopened vial below 30°C, away from direct sunlight
• Do not freeze
• Prepare the injection fresh immediately before use
• Discard any reconstituted solution not used within one hour
• Keep out of reach of children