Artemether - Coartem - Riamet - Paluther - Artefan Analysis

Artemether is an antiparasitic drug used to treat malaria. Artemether is included in the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of essential medicines.

Artemether is the active ingredient in Coartem and Riamet, marketed by the Novartis laboratory.

Ordering medicines from dubious websites is a health risk. It is essential to check that the online pharmacy is serious and has all the necessary authorizations.

If you have any doubts about the origin of the drug, you should carry out an analysis to certify the presence of the active ingredient and check that its dosage in the drug complies with the indicated content.

Analysis

Artemether is analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with UV-Visible spectrophotometric detection (HPLC-UV Visible).

Chemical name

• Chemical name : (3R,5aS,6R,8aS,9R,10S,12R,12aR)-Decahydro-10-méthoxy-3,6,9-triméthyl-3,12-époxy-12H-pyrano[4,3-j]-1,2-benzodioxépine
• Chemical formula : C16H26O5
• CAS number : 71963-77-4

Therapeutic class

• Therapeutic class: Anti-malarial
• Subclass: Artemisinin derivatives

Description of Therapeutic Effects

Artemether is an antimalarial drug derived from artemisinin, a compound extracted from the Artemisia annua plant. It is mainly used to treat malaria, particularly severe and resistant forms of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.

• Mechanism of action: Artemether acts by producing free radicals in parasite cells, causing irreversible damage to the parasite's cell membranes. This free-radical release mechanism is activated by the iron contained in the parasite's haem.
• Use: Artemether is usually administered in combination with another antimalarial drug, such as lumefantrine, to prevent the development of resistance. Artemether-lumefantrine is a first-line treatment recommended by the WHO for uncomplicated malaria. As an injection, artemether is used to treat severe cases of malaria.

Trade names

Artemether is available under several trade names, including :

• Coartem: A combination of artemether and lumefantrine, widely used to treat uncomplicated malaria
• Riamet: Trade name for the same combination, used in some countries
• Paluther: An injectable formulation of artemether for severe cases of malaria
• Artefan: Another trade name for the artemether-lumefantrine combination
• Arteether: A similar derivative used in certain combinations

Main Manufacturers

The main manufacturers of artemether are :

• Novartis: The manufacturer of Coartem, one of the leading combination therapies for the treatment of malaria.
• Sanofi: Producer of various artemether formulations, including injectables for tropical markets.
• Cipla: Supplier of antimalarial drugs, including artemether combinations for endemic regions.
• Guilin Pharmaceutical: A Chinese company pioneering the production of artemether and other artemisinin derivatives.
• Ipca Laboratories: A major producer of antimalarials, including artemether-lumefantrine for the international market.
• Ajanta Pharma: Manufacturer of various artemether-based antimalarial drugs, mainly for African and Asian countries.

Precautions and side effects

• Precautions: Artemether should not be used as monotherapy to avoid the development of resistance. It is also not recommended for pregnant women during the first trimester, except in cases of severe malaria. Particular care is required for patients with heart disease, as artemether may prolong the QT interval.
• Common side effects : Headache, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, allergic reactions (skin rashes).
• Serious side effects: QT interval prolongation, severe anemia, severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock), neurological disorders.