Artesunate is a medication used to treat malaria, a potentially life-threatening disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. It is a type of artemisinin, which is a natural compound found in the Artemisia annua plant. While there is no evidence to suggest that artesunate can be used for prophylaxis, it is effective in treating malaria infections [2].

According to Drug Patent Watch [1], Artesunate is a prescription drug used for the treatment of malaria. It is available in injectable form and is not approved for use as a prophylactic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [3] recommends the use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Artesunate is one of the recommended ACTs for the treatment of severe malaria in the United States. However, the CDC does not recommend the use of artesunate for prophylaxis.

A study published in the Journal of Vector Borne Diseases [2] examined the efficacy of artesunate in preventing malaria in a high-risk population in India. The study found that artesunate was not effective in preventing malaria in this population and recommended the use of other prophylactic medications.

In conclusion, while artesunate is effective in treating malaria infections, there is no evidence to suggest that it can be used for prophylaxis. Other medications are recommended for malaria prophylaxis. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of malaria.

Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ARTESUNATE
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3294395/
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/artesunate.html