DIHYDROARTEMISININ + PIPERAQUINE

Artemisinin-combination antimalarial medicine

Dosage Forms

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Tablet

dihydroartemisinin 40 mg + piperaquine 320 mg

Uses

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  • Uncomplicated malaria (second line treatment)

Dose and Duration

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Uncomplicated malaria
Adult and child over 6 months: Dose of 40/320 mg tab lets as in table below:
Weight Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
7-13 0.5 0.5 0.5
13-24 1 1 1
24-36 2 2 2
36-75 3 3 3
75-100 4 4 4

Contraindications

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  • Allergy to either artemisinin or piperaquine
  • History of or current arrhythmias
  • Heart disease predisposing for arrhythmias
  • Hypokalaemia, hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia
  • Children < 5 kg or 4 months

Side Effects

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  • Stomach upset
  • Irregular heartbeat (fast heart beat)
  • Anaemia
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Fever

Interactions

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Increased risk of irregular heart beat/arrhythmias with:

  • Antiarrhythmia drugs
  • Macrolide antibacterial e.g. erythromycin, azithromycin
  • Fluoroquinolones e.g. ciprofloxacin
  • Imidazole and triazole antifungals
  • Chlorpromazine, haloperidol
  • Lumefantrine
  • Quinine
  • Chloroquine
  • Saquinavir

Patient Instructions

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  • Preferably take at least 3 hours before food and wait for 3 hours to take food thereafter
  • Take with plenty of fluids

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breastfeeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Do not give more than 2 courses within 12 months.
  • Do not give second course within 2 months of first course