Artemether is a popular medication used in the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria. It is widely used to cure the said disease as it is recommended for use by the World Health Organization even among pregnant women. The compound is typically combined with lumefantrine and given via intramuscular injection routes for malaria treatment.
What is Artemether?
Artemether is a compound essentially derived from Artemisinin. Artemisinin drugs and their derivates are essentially derived from Artemisia annua, a traditional Chinese herb. The use of Artemisinin derivates for malaria treatments has become widespread following findings that the usual low-cost mainstay drugs for malaria like chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine have limited clinical efficiency. The medicinal use of Artemether was recognized in 1987 and has then included in the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
The most popular brand name for Artemether-Lumefantrine tablets is Coartem. Coartem is considered a prescription drug that may be used alone or in combination with other pharmacologic regimens for malaria treatment. Its two active components are Artemether and Lumefantrine.
Artemether is identified as having CAS number 71963-77-4. Its molecular formula is C16H26O5 and its molecular weight is 298.37 g/mol. Artemether powder has a whitish crystalline appearance and is generally freely soluble in acetone. The compound is also soluble in ethanol and methanol but is practically insoluble in water.
Artemether vs Artesunate
Both Artemether and Artesunate are classified as Artemisinin derivatives. Hence, they are both useful in the treatment of malaria and are both metabolized in vivo to dihydroartemisinin (DHA) which is a highly active malarial metabolite.
While the compounds are similar in several aspects, they have differences in terms of characteristics. Artemether is essentially the lipid-soluble methyl ether of dihydroartemisinin. In contrast, Artesunate is the water-soluble sodium hemisuccinyl ester. Also, while Artemether is usually used in combination with Lumefantrine, Artesunate is commonly combined with mefloquine.
Artemether vs Artemisinin
Artemisinin refers to a group of medications used to cure malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum. Artemether is one of the most commonly used derivatives of Artemisinin, along with Artesunate. In terms of malaria treatment, both the precursor, Artemisinin, and the derivative, Artemether, are believed to work in similar mechanisms. However, while Artemether is mostly claimed as beneficial for malaria alone, Artemisinin is believed to have other beneficial actions to the body including treatment of other parasitic infections.
Artemether Lumefantrine Prophylaxis
Artemether Lumefantrine Prophylaxis is one of the newest fixed-dose ratio combination drugs for malaria treatment. It is quite popular as the combination therapy is well-tolerated among individual patients.
One tablet of Artemether Lumefantrine Prophylaxis usually contains 20 milligrams of Artemether and 120 milligrams of Lumefantrine. It is commonly used along with stand-by emergency treatment in cases where there is limited risk for infection among patients.
Artemether forms and specifications
Artemether usually comes in powder forms having 99% purity assay based on High-performance liquid chromatography tests. It is used in the development of Artemether injectables for malaria treatment or in combination with Lumefantrine for Artemether-Lumefantrine Prophylaxis. Artemether powder 99% is available for purchase in various suppliers offering services online or in physical stores. When buying the product from online ingredient suppliers, it is important to ensure that your supplier is a legitimate company offering high-quality products.
High-quality Artemether powder 99% may be purchased from Nutriavenue in bulk quantities or smaller quantities. The product, when bought in bulk, is usually packed in paper drums with two layers of poly bags inside. One paper drum containing the product for bulk purchase has a net weight of about 25 kilograms. However, you may opt to avail of different packaging materials when you buy the product in lesser amounts.
How does Artemether work?
Artemether is usually converted into its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin when taken orally. It then interacts with ferriprotoporphyrin IX or ferrous ions which result in the formation of a range of potentially cytotoxic radical species affecting the malarial parasites. This eventually leads to the reduction of the number of malarial parasites. Also, the mechanism of action of Artemether is significant as it works in the erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum. It is found to interact with the synthesis of nucleic acid and protein.
In combination with Lumefantrine, the efficacy of Artemether is significantly increased, thereby beneficially treating Artemether faster and more effectively.
Artemether manufacturing process
Artemether is produced from Artemisinin. To obtain the product, Artemisinin is first dissolved in methanol. The resulting product is then reduced with sodium borohydride to produce a mixture comprising dihydroartemisinin. An acid catalyst is thereafter added to the mixture to cause conversion of the dihydroartemisinin to artemether. Lastly, the product is purified to obtain pure Artemether.
Artemether uses
Artemether is primarily used for malarial treatment. It is a rapid-onset compound and is also rapidly eliminated in the body. Hence, it provides benefits for uncomplicated malaria patients without posing serious bodily risks. In some cases, Artemether is also used in the treatment of severe, multiple drug-resistant malaria cases.
Artemether side effects
Artemether is generally well-tolerated among malarial patients. Nonetheless, its use may produce mild side effects such as stomach irritation and muscle pain. If symptoms persist or when adverse bodily reactions take place, it is important to discontinue the use of the compound and immediately seek medical attention.
Artemether dosage
The recommended dosage for Artemether to be used in the treatment of malaria depends on the patient’s weight, age, and overall physical condition. The dose may also vary depending on the severity of the malarial case. While Artemether may be used among pregnant women, this category of patients needs to consult their physicians before using the compound.
Where to buy bulk Artemether?
If you are looking for a potential source for your bulk Artemether needs, you have come to the right place. Nutriavenue is a legitimate ingredient supplier duly registered with the Food and Drug Administration. We offer high-quality products at very affordable prices. We are also recognized and certified by Halal, Kosher, and GMP.
Aside from Artemether, we also offer a wide range of ingredients for dietary supplement formulations. We also offer shipping services through air, sea, or couriers like FedEx or UPS. Shipping rates may vary depending on your location.
For more details and information on our services and the products we offer, you may contact our technical support staff.
