What dose of artesunate should I use?
The correct artesunate dose depends on the condition being treated (most commonly severe malaria), the patient’s age, and body weight. The provided information isn’t enough to give a single safe “standard dose.”
Dose for severe malaria (adults and children)
Severe malaria is usually treated with an intravenous (IV) artesunate regimen, followed by a full course of an oral antimalarial once the patient can take tablets.
To give the right dose, I need at least:
- Age (adult or child)
- Weight (kg), if available
- Route you’re asking about (IV, intramuscular/IM, or oral)
- Whether it’s for severe malaria or another indication
When do you give the next dose?
Artesunate dosing schedules are time-based (repeat doses at set intervals) and then transition to oral therapy after clinical improvement. The exact timing and switch criteria depend on the protocol used (WHO/CDC or a local guideline).
If you’re asking about home/oral artesunate
Oral artesunate dosing also depends on the malaria type and the partner medicine used (combination therapy is common). Without the specific regimen you’re using, dosing can’t be confirmed.
Quick check: what exact product and guideline?
If you share the artesunate formulation (e.g., “artesunate injection” vs “artesunate tablets”), strength (mg per tablet/vial), and your guideline source (WHO/CDC/country protocol), I can translate that into the dose for a specific patient.
If you reply with age (or adult/child), weight (kg), route (IV/IM/oral), and indication (severe malaria?), I’ll give the correct dosing schedule.