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Amodiaquine-artesunate (ASAQ)
ASAQ is a fixed-dose combination of amodiaquine (a 4-aminoquinoline) and artesunate (an artemisinin derivative) that kills malaria parasites through complementary mechanisms involving heme detoxification disruption and rapid parasite clearance.
ASAQ is a fixed-dose combination of amodiaquine (a 4-aminoquinoline) and artesunate (an artemisinin derivative) that kills malaria parasites through complementary mechanisms involving heme detoxification disruption and rapid parasite clearance. Used for Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae.
At a glance
| Generic name | Amodiaquine-artesunate (ASAQ) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | ASAQ, Camoquin, Coarsucam by Sanofi-Aventis, coarsucam |
| Sponsor | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Drug class | Antimalarial combination therapy |
| Target | Plasmodium falciparum heme polymerase; artemisinin-derived endoperoxide bridge |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Amodiaquine inhibits heme polymerization in the malaria parasite's digestive vacuole, while artesunate generates reactive oxygen species that damage parasite proteins and DNA. The combination provides rapid parasite clearance (artesunate) followed by sustained suppression (amodiaquine), reducing treatment duration and improving efficacy against drug-resistant strains.
Approved indications
- Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
- Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae
Common side effects
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Pruritus
Key clinical trials
- A Study to Find Out if a Combination of 3 Medicines for the Treatment of Malaria Works as Well and is as Safe and Tolerable as Combinations of 2 Medicines (PHASE3)
- Four Different Experimental Drug Regimens to Standard of Care for the Treatment of Symptomatic Outpatients With COVID-19 (PHASE2)
- Triple Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy for Delaying Drug Resistance Development - a Randomized Clinical Trial (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Effectiveness and Safety of Intermittent Preventive Treatment for Malaria Using Either Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine or Artesunate-amodiaquine in Reducing Malaria Related Morbidities and Improving Cognitive Ability in School-aged Children in Tanzania (PHASE3)
- Test Efficacy Study on the Recommended Antimalarial Drugs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (PHASE4)
- Gametocytocidal and Transmission-blocking Efficacy of ASAQ and ALAQ With or Without PQ in Mali (PHASE2)
- Efficacy of Artesunate-amodiaquine and Artemether-lumefantrine for Treatment of Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Liberia (PHASE4)
- Safety and Efficacy of Recommended Antimalarial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
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