Last reviewed · How we verify
Artesunate-Amodiaquine (ASAQ)
Artesunate-amodiaquine is a fixed-dose combination antimalarial that kills malaria parasites through multiple mechanisms: artesunate damages parasite proteins and organelles while amodiaquine interferes with parasite hemoglobin digestion.
Artesunate-amodiaquine is a fixed-dose combination antimalarial that kills malaria parasites through multiple mechanisms: artesunate damages parasite proteins and organelles while amodiaquine interferes with parasite hemoglobin digestion. Used for Uncomplicated malaria (Plasmodium falciparum and other species), Malaria treatment in children and adults.
At a glance
| Generic name | Artesunate-Amodiaquine (ASAQ) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Coarsucam |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford |
| Drug class | Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) |
| Target | Parasite protein synthesis and hemozoin formation |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Artesunate, a semi-synthetic artemisinin derivative, generates reactive oxygen species that damage parasite proteins and mitochondria. Amodiaquine, a 4-aminoquinoline, accumulates in the parasite's food vacuole and inhibits hemozoin formation, preventing detoxification of heme. The combination provides synergistic activity and helps prevent resistance development.
Approved indications
- Uncomplicated malaria (Plasmodium falciparum and other species)
- Malaria treatment in children and adults
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea
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 |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Artesunate-Amodiaquine (ASAQ) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Artesunate-Amodiaquine (ASAQ) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Oxford portfolio CI