B Acad Nat Med Paris
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B Acad Nat Med Paris · Jan 1999
Review[Current data on major novel antiamalaria drugs: Artemisinin (qinghaosu) derivatives].
Artemisinin or Qinghaosu (QHS) and its derivatives (mainly artemether and artesunate) are novel and the most rapidly acting antimalarial drugs, effective in adults and children against all the Plasmodium of humans, including multi-drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum. Resistance to these drugs has not been identified so far. QHS derivatives are very well tolerated and there is no evidence of serious clinical toxicity in man. ⋯ This route eliminates several disadvantages or risks associated with injections. The best indication for rectal administration will be probably a rescue treatment of severe malaria in rural and poorly equipped dispensaries before transfer to hospital for treatment using conventional modalities. All QHS derivatives should not be used for chemophophylaxis.