Artesunate is a medication used to treat malaria caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The drug is known for its fast-acting and effective properties. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [2], artesunate is a rapidly acting drug that starts working within hours of administration. It is a potent antimalarial medication that acts by killing the parasite in the blood. The drug is used to treat severe malaria and is often given intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) in a hospital setting. Artesunate has been shown to reduce the mortality rate of severe malaria by 35% [2].

The duration of artesunate treatment varies depending on the severity of the infection. In most cases, artesunate is given for three days as a part of combination therapy with other antimalarial drugs [3]. The drug is usually administered intravenously or intramuscularly for the first 24-48 hours, followed by oral therapy to complete the treatment course.

According to Drug Patent Watch [1], artesunate is available in various formulations, including tablets, capsules, and injections. The duration of treatment may vary depending on the formulation used. For instance, the intravenous formulation of artesunate is administered for three days, while the oral formulation is given for seven days.

In conclusion, artesunate is a fast-acting medication used to treat severe malaria caused by the Plasmodium parasite. The drug starts working within hours of administration and is often given intravenously or intramuscularly in a hospital setting. The duration of artesunate treatment varies depending on the severity of the infection and the formulation used. In most cases, the drug is given for three days as a part of combination therapy with other antimalarial drugs.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ARTESUNATE
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/artesunate.html
[3] https://www.rxlist.com/artesunate/generic-drug.htm