artesunate + dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine

This is a combination therapy consisting of artesunate and the fixed-dose combination dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. Both artesunate and dihydroartemisinin are derivatives of artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide with potent antimalarial activity. Piperaquine is a bisquinoline antimalarial agent. The combination is used for the treatment of malaria, particularly uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, including in regions where drug resistance to other therapies has emerged. - Artesunate acts by generating reactive oxygen species that damage parasite proteins and membranes after activation by heme within infected erythrocytes. - Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the active metabolite of all artemisinin derivatives, shares this mechanism. - Piperaquine interferes with heme detoxification in the parasite’s food vacuole, leading to toxic accumulation of free heme. The rationale for combining these agents is to rapidly reduce parasitemia (via artemisinins) while piperaquine provides sustained post-treatment prophylaxis due to its long half-life[2][4]. This multi-drug approach helps prevent resistance development and improves cure rates.

Other names

AS + DHA-PPQartesunate followed by dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine