Artemether: Effects, Uses & Risks

Artemether is a so-called chemotherapeutic agent, which in Germany is prescribed only for the treatment of special malaria tropica and is sold in pharmacies as Riamet. It is rarely prescribed in Germany compared to other drugs of this type and is also suitable for self-treatment.

What is artemether?

Artemether is a so-called chemotherapeutic drug, which in Germany is prescribed only for the treatment of special malaria tropica and is sold in pharmacies as Riamet. Artemether, which is sold in combination with lumefrantrine as Riamet, is used to treat uncomplicated malaria tropica and is administered in tablet form. The drug is suitable for self-treatment and can completely cure the disease in almost all cases. However, Artemether is not suitable for the prevention of malaria and is considered highly effective in combination with lumefantrine. Side effects are known, but occur relatively rarely. Research is underway to use artemether in cancer treatment.

Pharmacologic action

The action of artemether is based on the release of free radicals, which can destroy biological tissue by means of a chain reaction. Artemether acts exclusively when there is a high concentration of iron in the patient’s body. This occurs, among other things, when the so-called plasmodia, which in this case are the pathogens of malaria tropica, have settled in the body and are already multiplying there. Artemether thereby releases the aforementioned free radicals and the pathogens are severely damaged and as a result destroyed. Since it is a substance that is very easily soluble in fat, it is best to take the drug during a sufficiently fatty meal to ensure rapid absorption and thus a rapid effect of the drug. Artemether should not affect any other organs or body functions unless side effects occur. Artemether, when taken in the form of Riamet as mentioned at the outset, is considered to be very effective and well tolerated in malaria patients. It should take a maximum of 72 hours to take effect, and after about 28 days there is a 96% cure rate, according to one study.

Medical application and use

Artemether is prescribed in Germany under the name Riamet, which contains not only the mentioned drug but also lumefantrine. This combination of second drugs is used for the treatment of relatively harmless, simple malaria tropica and is therefore hardly used in Germany. Artemether is used exclusively for self-treatment of malaria in situations where no doctor or hospital can be found in the immediate vicinity. It has an acute effect and is therefore not suitable for the prevention of malaria when traveling to the respective countries. Furthermore, treatment must not be given if the patient has not reached at least the age of twelve and has exceeded a weight of 35 kilograms. The treatment with Artemether must be carried out quickly. Even under these circumstances, the effect of the drug is not long-lasting, since the half-life in the body is only about two hours before the drug is broken down by an enzyme in the life. Artemether should not be taken alone, but only in combination with the aforementioned lumefantrine, otherwise resistance to the active ingredient in artemether may develop rapidly and the drug will lose its effectiveness.

Risks and side effects

Known side effects of Artemether include rapid-onset headache and persistent dizziness, which occurs when blood pressure is lowered. Therefore, if there are known problems with blood pressure, treatment with Artemether is usually not effective. Furthermore, indigestion and a persistent feeling of fullness and/or diarrhea may be the result of taking Artemether. The drug must also not be administered if heart disease has been diagnosed in the patient. Artemether’s active ingredients have further led to the drug now being studied for effectiveness in the treatment of cancer. Medically, this is a side effect, although in this case it cannot be called undesirable.Artemether may be used after the age of twelve in people of all ages and genders and also during pregnancy.