> THERAPEUTIC INDICATION
Curative treatment of severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
> DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Adults and children over 20 kg: 2.4 mg artesunate per kg, to be administered by intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection; at intervals of 0, 12, and 24 hours, and then once daily until oral treatment can be given as a relay.
Adults and children under 20 kg: 3 mg artesunate per kg, administered by intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection; at intervals of 0, 12, and 24 hours, then once daily until oral therapy can be initiated.
MALAVAN should be given for a minimum of 24 hours (in 3 doses), regardless of the patient’s ability to tolerate earlier oral treatment.
The doctor may decide to extend your treatment to a total of up to 7 days if he/she considers it necessary.
Reconstitution of MALAVAN Injection:
Add the 0.5 ml ampoule of sodium bicarbonate to the vial containing the artesunate powder.
Shake the vial for a few minutes to mix thoroughly until the powder is completely dissolved and the solution is clear.
After reconstitution, the solution must be diluted according to the type of injection chosen, as described below:
Intravenous (IV) injection
Add the 2.5 ml ampoule of 0.9% sodium chloride injection to the vial containing the reconstituted artesunate solution. This will create a 3 ml solution, containing artesunate 10mg/ml. Shake to mix well, the resulting solution should remain clear.
The volume required is equal to :
For people under 20 kg: V = 3.0 mg x body weight (kg)/10
For people over 20 kg: V = 2.4 mg x body weight (kg)/10
Intramuscular (IM) injection
Add 1 ml of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection to the vial containing the reconstituted artesunate solution. This will create a 1.5 ml solution, containing artesunate 20mg/ml. Shake to mix well, the resulting solution should remain clear.
The volume required is equal to :
For people under 20 kg: V = 3.0 mg x body weight (kg)/20
For people over 20 kg: V = 2.4 mg x body weight (kg)/20
The reconstituted artesunate solution should always be used immediately, once it is clear.
The reconstituted solution must be discarded if not used within one hour.
Prescription medicine. Ask your doctor for advice.