Product Description
Therapeutic action
- Antimalarial
Indications
- Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria
- Treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to other Plasmodium species, when chloroquine cannot be used
- Completion treatment following parenteral therapy for severe malaria
Forms and strengths
- Co-formulated tablets of dihydroartemisinin (DHA)/piperaquine (PPQ), in blister pack, for a complete treatment for one individual
- There are 5 different blister packs:
- 20 mg DHA/160 mg PPQ tablets blister pack of 3 tablets*2
- 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets blister pack of 3 tablets*2
- 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets blister pack of 6 tablets*2
- 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets blister pack of 9 tablets*2
- 40 mg DHA/320 mg PPQ tablets blister pack of 12 tablets*2
Dosage and duration
- Child 5 to < 25 kg: 2.5 to 10 mg/kg daily of DHA + 20 to 32 mg/kg daily of PPQ
- Child 25 kg and over and adult: 2 to 10 mg/kg daily of DHA + 16 to 27 mg/kg daily of PPQ
Weight | 20 mg/160 mg tablet | 40 mg/320 mg tablet |
|---|---|---|
5 to < 8 kg | 1 tab | – |
8 to < 11 kg | 1½ tab | – |
11 to < 17 kg | – | 1 tab |
17 to < 25 kg | – | 1½ tab |
25 to < 36 kg | – | 2 tab |
36 to < 60 kg | – | 3 tab |
60 to < 80 kg | – | 4 tab |
≥ 80 kg | – | 5 tab |
- Tablets are to be taken once daily for 3 days.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer in the event of cardiac disorders (bradycardia, heart rhythm disorders, congestive heart failure).
- Do not combine with drugs that prolong the QT interval: amiodarone, other antimalarials, antipsychotics, fluconazole, fluoroquinolones, hydroxyzine, macrolides, ondansetron, etc.
- Administer with caution to patients > 60 years or with renal or hepatic impairment.
- May cause: cardiac disorders (QT prolongation, tachycardia); rarely, gastrointestinal disturbances, pruritus, hepatic disorders, joint and muscle pain.
- Monitor combination with: antiretrovirals (increased blood levels of these drugs), enzymes inducers such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital (reduced blood levels of DHA/PPQ).
- If the patient vomits within 30 minutes after administration, re-administer the full dose. If the patient vomits between 30 minutes and 1 hour after administration, re-administer half of the dose.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication
Remarks
- Take 3 hours before or after meals, with a glass of water.
- The tablets may be crushed and mixed with water.
Storage
Below 25 °C
