Antimalarial (Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy - ACT)
Last reviewed July 2026
Who is this for?
Artesunate + Amodiaquine is a combination antimalarial drug that contains two medicines working together to kill the malaria parasite in your blood. Artesunate kills the parasites quickly while amodiaquine keeps working longer to make sure they don't come back.
Inhibits parasite protein synthesis and DNA replication through multiple mechanisms: artesunate generates reactive oxygen species that damage Plasmodium parasites, while amodiaquine intercalates parasite DNA and inhibits heme polymerization, preventing malaria parasite survival and clearance of blood-stage infection.
Malaria (uncomplicated malaria caused by mosquito bites)
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. If it is almost time for the next day's dose, skip the missed one and continue with the normal schedule. Do not take two doses at once to make up for it.
Always complete the full 3-day course even if you feel well after day one, as stopping early can make the malaria come back stronger. Buy only from registered pharmacies and not from roadside vendors or market sellers, as fake antimalarials are common in Nigeria. If your symptoms do not improve after completing the course, go back to the hospital for a proper test rather than just repeating the drug on your own.
Avoid taking this drug with efavirenz or zidovudine (HIV medications) as it can increase side effects, so tell your doctor if you are on HIV treatment. Do not take with other antimalarials like mefloquine or halofantrine as this can cause dangerous heart rhythm problems. Avoid alcohol during the 3-day treatment as it can worsen dizziness and liver stress.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Artesunate; with your other drugs?
This drug is generally not recommended in the first 3 months of pregnancy; consult your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat, avoiding storage near windows or in hot cars. Keep in the original packaging and away from moisture. Always keep out of reach of children.
For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under, especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
Tap a brand for packaging, NAFDAC details and authenticity check
Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.