Artemether

Artemether

Clinical data
Trade names	many
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Pregnancy category	US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration	intramuscular
ATC code	P01BE02 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	UK: POM (Prescription only)
Identifiers
IUPAC name (3R,5aS,6R,8aS,9R,10S,12R,12aR)-10-methoxy-3,6,9-trimethyldecahydro-12H-3,12-epoxy[1,2]dioxepino[4,3-i]-2-benzopyran
CAS Number	71963-77-4 N
PubChem (CID)	68911
DrugBank	DB06697 Y
ChemSpider	62138 Y
UNII	C7D6T3H22J Y
KEGG	D02483 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:195280 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1237051 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.189.847
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C16H26O5
Molar mass	298.374 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES C[C@@H]1CC[C@@H]3C42OO[C@](C)(CC[C@@H]12)O[C@H]4O[C@H](OC)[C@@H]3C
InChI InChI=1S/C16H26O5/c1-9-5-6-12-10(2)13(17-4)18-14-16(12)11(9)7-8-15(3,19-14)20-21-16/h9-14H,5-8H2,1-4H3/t9-,10-,11+,12+,13+,14-,15-,16-/m1/s1 Y Key:SXYIRMFQILZOAM-HVNFFKDJSA-N Y
NY (what is this?)

Artemether is a medication used for the treatment of malaria. The injectable form is specifically used for severe malaria rather than quinine. It may not be as effective as artesunate. It is given by injection in a muscle. It is also available by mouth in combination with lumefantrine, known as artemether/lumefantrine.

Artemether causes relatively few side effects. An irregular heartbeat may rarely occur. While there is evidence that use during pregnancy may be harmful in animals models, there is no evidence of concerns in humans. The World Health Organization therefore recommends it use during pregnancy. It is in the artemisinin class of medication.

Artemether has been studied since at least 1981 and been in medical use since 1987. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The wholesale cost in the developing world is between 0.38 and 16.47 USD per vial. The combination form cost between 100 and 200 USD for a course of treatment in the United States.

Artemether is an antimalarial drug for uncomplicated malaria caused by  P. falciparum (and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum) or chloroquine-resistant P. vivax parasites. Artemether can also be used to treat severe malaria.

The World Health Organization recommends the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum with artemisinin-based combination therapy. Given in combination with lumefantrine, it may be followed by a 14 day regimen of primaquine to prevent relapse of P. vivax or P. ovale malarial parasites and provide a complete cure.