Artesunate is an antimalarial drug used to treat severe malaria. According to the sources provided, there are potential side effects of combining artesunate with other drugs.
The first source [1] indicates that artesunate is often used in combination with other antimalarial drugs, such as mefloquine, lumefantrine, and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. However, the website does not provide information on the potential side effects of combining artesunate with these drugs.
The second source [2] provides more detailed information on the potential side effects of combining artesunate with other drugs. It notes that combining artesunate with quinine can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and should be avoided. Additionally, combining artesunate with drugs that prolong the QT interval (a measure of heart rhythm) can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). Examples of such drugs include chloroquine, halofantrine, mefloquine, and quinine. Therefore, caution should be exercised when combining artesunate with these drugs.
The third source [3] also recommends caution when combining artesunate with other drugs. It notes that artesunate should not be used in combination with other drugs that have a high potential for causing hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), such as primaquine. Additionally, artesunate should not be used with drugs that are known to cause QT prolongation or have a high risk of causing arrhythmias, such as halofantrine and mefloquine.
In summary, while artesunate is often used in combination with other antimalarial drugs, caution should be exercised when combining it with certain drugs. Combining artesunate with quinine or drugs that prolong the QT interval can increase the risk of hypoglycemia and cardiac arrhythmias, respectively. Therefore, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before combining artesunate with other drugs.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ARTESUNATE
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1713/
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/clinicians1.html