INN monograph
Artemisinin/Naphthoquine phosphate
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Component monographs (multi-source pipeline); Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- [From component Artemisinin / Piperaquine] The first trimester of pregnancy (unless the risk of the disease is greater) as the effects in pregnancy has not been fully established.
- A new course of the drug should not be taken within four weeks after the first treatment.
Precautions
- Obtain allergy and medication history.
- Adjust for renal/hepatic impairment, pregnancy, lactation, extremes of age and interacting drugs.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration.
- Monitor for expected class adverse effects.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Adults (age > 16 years) for uncomplicated malaria: a single dose of 4 tablets (total dose 1,000 mg artemisinin /400 mg naphthoquine). Children: 25mg artemisinin/10mg naphthoquine per kg/body weight. NB: To be taken before meals or after meals (~2 h post-prandial) but not with a meal.
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- The artemisinin / naphthoquine combination offers a novel advantage over existing ACTs as it can be administered as a single oral dose.
- A single oral dose administration of artemisinin / naphthoquine combination is equally effective and safe as the 3-day treatment with artemether-lumefantrine combination and other existing ACTs.
- Fixed-dose/multi-ingredient product.
- Clinical details partially inherited from component monographs: Artemisinin / Piperaquine.
- Confirm combination SmPC for exact dosing.
Safety
Adverse effects
- [From component Artemisinin / Piperaquine] GI disturbances like nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite
- allergic reactions (though rare), temporary reticulocyte subsidence.
Use
Indications
- Malaria due to uncomplicated P. falciparum.
- Clinical selection for Artemisinin/Naphthoquine phosphate should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
Combination product.
Full mechanism text
Combination product. Component mechanism (Artemisinin / Piperaquine): It is a synergistic combination of an artemisinin derivative and a bisquinoline compound. The combination is active against the asexual forms of plasmodium, schizonts and gametocytes. The action of the combination on schizonts ensures a rapid decrease of pathogenic parasitaemia, which leads to a quick disappearance of clinical signs. The combination action on gametocytes prevents contamination.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arco | NIC Pharma | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
[Artemisinin] Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist. [Naphthoquine phosphate] Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
[Artemisinin] Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data. [Naphthoquine phosphate] Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Component monographs (multi-source pipeline); Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.