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Artesunate + Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine
Artesunate kills malaria parasites by generating reactive oxygen species, while sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine inhibits folate synthesis in the parasite, providing synergistic antimalarial activity.
Artesunate kills malaria parasites by generating reactive oxygen species, while sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine inhibits folate synthesis in the parasite, providing synergistic antimalarial activity. Used for Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Malaria treatment in endemic regions.
At a glance
| Generic name | Artesunate + Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Sanofi |
| Drug class | Antimalarial combination |
| Target | Plasmodium falciparum (multiple targets: artemisinin-induced oxidative stress; dihydrofolate reductase; dihydropteroate synthase) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Artesunate, a semi-synthetic artemisinin derivative, acts as a fast-acting blood schizonticide that rapidly reduces parasite biomass through oxidative stress mechanisms. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is a long-acting antifolate combination that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase, blocking nucleotide synthesis. Together, they provide complementary mechanisms targeting different stages of the parasite lifecycle and reducing the risk of resistance.
Approved indications
- Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
- Malaria treatment in endemic regions
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare)
Key clinical trials
- Parasite Clearance and Protection from Infection (PCPI) in Cameroon (PHASE3)
- Parasite Clearance and Protection From Infection (PCPI) in Zambia (PHASE3)
- Comparison of ISTp- PYRAMAX-US-RDT to IPTp-SP to Prevent Malaria in Pregnant Women in DRC (ULTRAPYRAPREG) (PHASE3)
- Dose Escalation PfSPZ-CVac (PHASE1)
- SPK Study in Afghanistan (NA)
- Longitudinal Antimalarial Combinations in Uganda (PHASE3)
- Combination Antimalarials in Uncomplicated Malaria (NA)
- A Study to Assess Current Standard Malaria Treatment Guidelines in the Republic of the Sudan (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 + Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Artesunate + Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Sanofi portfolio CI