Artemisinin and derivatives in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria.

Journal article

Artemisinin and its derivatives are the most rapidly acting antimalarials known to-date and are well-tolerated. All derivatives in use today are produced by semi-synthesis from artemisinin: dihydroartemisinin is the product of the first step; more synthetic steps give rise to artesunate, artemether and arteether which are metabolised back to dihydroartemisinin in the body. Although their residence in the body after oral administration is very short (with half-lives of < 2 hours), they can ...

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Authors: White, N; Olliaro, P

• Journal: Medecine tropicale : revue du Corps de sante colonial
• Volume: 58
• Issue: 3 Suppl
• Pages: 54-56
• Publication date: 1998-01-01
• ISSN: 0025-682X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Humans; Malaria; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drug Resistance; Administration, Oral; Time Factors; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Sesquiterpenes; Artemisinins; Antimalarials