“Artemisinin 100 mg: Uses, Dosage, Benefits & Side Effects”

✅ What Is Artemisinin?

Artemisinin is a natural compound derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua). It is known for its potent antimalarial properties and forms the basis for many modern malaria treatments.

• Drug class: Antimalarial (specifically a sesquiterpene lactone)
• Strength: 100 mg per capsule/tablet (common oral dose)
• Origin: Plant-derived (traditional Chinese medicine)

✅ Uses & Indications

🔹 Primary Medical Use:

🔹 Other Investigated/Alternative Uses (under research or off-label):

• Cancer treatment (adjunctive role in some cancers)
• Autoimmune conditions
• Parasitic infections (e.g., schistosomiasis)

⚠️ Note: These alternative uses lack sufficient clinical evidence and should be approached cautiously.

✅ Mechanism of Action

Artemisinin acts by:

• Producing free radicals inside malaria parasites via interaction with iron
• Damaging parasite proteins and membranes
• Causing rapid death of Plasmodium parasites during the erythrocytic stage (when symptoms occur)

✅ Dosage & Administration

🔹Typical Dosage (for malaria):

• 100–200 mg orally, 2–3 times daily for 3–7 days, depending on the combination regimen
• Used with another antimalarial like lumefantrine, mefloquine, or piperaquine

🔹 Formulations:

• Capsules or tablets (100 mg common)
• Also available in injectable and suppository forms (primarily in severe malaria)

Monotherapy is discouraged due to risk of resistance. Always used as part of ACT (Artemisinin Combination Therapy).

✅ Warnings & Precautions

• Pregnancy: Avoid during the first trimester unless benefits outweigh risks; safer in later stages.
• Breastfeeding: Use with caution; insufficient data.
• Drug resistance: Monotherapy is not recommended—use in combination therapy to prevent resistance.
• Not for prophylaxis of malaria (preventive use not recommended)

✅ Drug Interactions