Introduction
Arinet is an antiparasitic medication. It is used in the treatment of malaria. It is not used to prevent malaria or to treat severe malaria (where it has affected the brain, lungs or kidneys).
Arinet is administered as an injection by a healthcare professional. Kindly do not self administer. It is given in cases where oral administration is not possible.
Some people may experience a headache, dizziness, weakness, and loss of appetite, as the side effects of this medicine. You may also notice some injection site reactions like pain, swelling or redness. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. You may be monitored with blood tests once a week for 4 weeks to detect the presence of malarial parasites.
Side effects of Arinet
Common
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
How to use Arinet
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Arinet works
Arinet is an antiparasitic medication. It works by producing harmful chemicals (free radicals) within the malarial parasite, thereby killing it.
What if you forget to take Arinet?
If you miss a dose of Arinet, please consult your doctor.
Indication
Falciparum malaria especially in quinidine-resistant patients
Adult: PO: 4 mg/kg once daily x3 days (with mefloquine)
Administration
Antimalarial potentiating action seen with mefloquine, primaquine and tetracycline. Additive effect with chloroquine. Antagonistic effect with pyrimethamine and sulphonamides.
Adult Dose
Hepatic or renal insufficiency. Pregnancy and lactation.
Lactation: unknown
Renal Dose
Artesunate is a potent and rapidly-acting blood schizontocide derived from the leaves of the chinese herb, Armesia annua. The exact mode of action is not clear but clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of artesunate in P. vivax and falciparum malaria. Unclear, may inhibit DNA replication & transcription.
Precaution
Malaria, Schistosomiasis
Pregnancy Category Note
Generally well-tolerated, Cardiotoxicity (high doses), Neurotoxicity observed in animal studies, Drug induced fever, Skin rash
Interaction
Hypersensitivity.