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Artemether Side Effects

Artemether is a medication used in the treatment of malaria in adults and children over the weight of 11 pounds. The medication is an antimalarial agent whose exact treatment method is still not completely understood. As with most disease-treating medications, there are a number of side effects associated with using the drug.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • There are certain side effects associated with using artemether. Some of these side effects include diarrhea, cough, headache, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, joint and muscle pain, trouble sleeping, tiredness, vomiting and general weakness. While these are considered the most common side effects associated with using artemether, they only affect a small number of users.

    Severe Side Effects

    • Unfortunately, there are also a number of severe side effects associated with using this medication. Some of these side effects include hives, rash, difficulty breathing, tightening of the chest, swelling of the mouth and lips, difficulty swallowing, fainting, irregular heartbeat, fever, chills, sore throat, pale skin, severe headache, speech problems and severe muscle weakness. These side effects are also very rare and do not affect a large amount of users.

    Important Safety Information

    • Artemether has been known to cause increased dizziness and drowsiness in users, and it is recommended that users do not operate any type of machinery (including automobiles) while using this medication. This medication works better if taken with food, so please try to schedule your dosage times around your meals. Consult with your doctor if you experience flu-like symptoms after the course of your treatment is complete.

    Usage

    • Always use artemether exactly as it was prescribed by your doctor and never in dosages that exceed the recommendations written on the label. This medication is administered in pill form through the mouth, and can be crushed or broken up if needed. Do no eat grapefruits or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication, as it may counteract the effects.

    Warning

    • If you experience any of the above side effects, contact your doctor immediately for further instruction.

      If an overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center and head directly to the nearest emergency room.

      Artemether is meant as a malaria treatment only and should never be used for the treatment of any other medical condition unless specifically prescribed by your doctor.

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