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Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine
Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine is a Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) Small molecule drug developed by Ministry of Public Health, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is currently FDA-approved for Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Uncomplicated malaria caused by other Plasmodium species. Also known as: Eurartesim®, Duo-Cotecxin.
Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is a fixed-dose antimalarial combination that kills malaria parasites through multiple mechanisms: dihydroartemisinin acts as a fast-acting artemisinin derivative, while piperaquine provides sustained parasite suppression.
Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is a fixed-dose antimalarial combination that kills malaria parasites through multiple mechanisms: dihydroartemisinin acts as a fast-acting artemisinin derivative, while piperaquine provides sustained parasite suppression. Used for Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Uncomplicated malaria caused by other Plasmodium species.
At a glance
| Generic name | Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Eurartesim®, Duo-Cotecxin |
| Sponsor | Ministry of Public Health, Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Drug class | Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) |
| Target | Malaria parasite (Plasmodium species); multiple parasite targets including heme detoxification pathway |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Dihydroartemisinin, a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, generates reactive oxygen species within malaria parasites that damage parasite proteins and DNA, leading to rapid parasite clearance. Piperaquine is a bisquinoline that accumulates in the parasite's food vacuole and inhibits heme detoxification, causing parasite death. Together, they provide rapid symptom relief and sustained cure with reduced recrudescence risk.
Approved indications
- Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
- Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax
- Uncomplicated malaria caused by other Plasmodium species
Common side effects
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
Key clinical trials
- A Clinical Study of Piperaquine, Pyronaridine, and Artesunate Administered in Combination in Healthy Adults (PHASE1)
- Focal Mass Drug Administration for the Prevention of Malaria in Pregnancy (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Investigating the Pharmacology of Tafenoquine in Papua New Guinean Children With Uncomplicated Malaria (PHASE4)
- Assessing the Feasibility of Combining Dihydroartemisinin Piperaquine and Primaquine for Malaria Mass Drug Administration in High Endemic Communities in the Eastern Region of Ghana (NA)
- Health Systems Implementation and Molecular Surveillance of Multiple First-Line Treatments for Uncomplicated Malaria in Western Kenya
- Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria in School-age Children to Decrease Community Transmission (PHASE4)
- Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention in the Malaria Vaccine Era (PHASE4)
- Mass Vaccine and Drug Administration, Bangladesh (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:
- Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Ministry of Public Health, Democratic Republic of the Congo portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine
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Related
- Drug class: All Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Malaria parasite (Plasmodium species); multiple parasite targets including heme detoxification pathway
- Manufacturer: Ministry of Public Health, Democratic Republic of the Congo — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Infectious Disease
- Indication: Drugs for Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
- Indication: Drugs for Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax
- Indication: Drugs for Uncomplicated malaria caused by other Plasmodium species
- Also known as: Eurartesim®, Duo-Cotecxin
- Compare: Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine vs similar drugs
- Pricing: Dihydroartemisinine-piperaquine cost, discount & access