U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Divider Arrow National Institutes of Health Divider Arrow NCATS

Details

Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Molecular Formula C16H26O5
Molecular Weight 298.3746
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED
Defined Stereocenters 8 / 8
E/Z Centers 0
Charge 0

SHOW SMILES / InChI
Structure of ARTEMETHER

SMILES

[H][C@@]12CC[C@@H](C)[C@]3([H])CC[C@]4(C)OO[C@@]13[C@]([H])(O[C@H](OC)[C@@H]2C)O4

InChI

InChIKey=SXYIRMFQILZOAM-HVNFFKDJSA-N
InChI=1S/C16H26O5/c1-9-5-6-12-10(2)13(17-4)18-14-16(12)11(9)7-8-15(3,19-14)20-21-16/h9-14H,5-8H2,1-4H3/t9-,10-,11+,12+,13+,14-,15-,16-/m1/s1

HIDE SMILES / InChI

Molecular Formula C16H26O5
Molecular Weight 298.3746
Charge 0
Count
Stereochemistry ABSOLUTE
Additional Stereochemistry No
Defined Stereocenters 8 / 8
E/Z Centers 0
Optical Activity UNSPECIFIED

Description
Curator's Comment: description was created based on several sources, including: http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB06697 http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7866ec19-dfac-47d4-a53f-511a12643cbf

Artemether is an antimalarial agent used to treat acute uncomplicated malaria. It is administered in combination with lumefantrine for improved efficacy against malaria. Artemether is rapidly metabolized into an active metabolite dihydroartemisinin (DHA). The antimalarial activity of artemether and DHA has been attributed to endoperoxide moiety. Artemethe involves an interaction with ferriprotoporphyrin IX (“heme”), or ferrous ions, in the acidic parasite food vacuole, which results in the generation of cytotoxic radical species. The generally accepted mechanism of action of peroxide antimalarials involves interaction of the peroxide-containing drug with heme, a hemoglobin degradation byproduct, derived from proteolysis of hemoglobin. This interaction is believed to result in the formation of a range of potentially toxic oxygen and carbon-centered radicals. Other mechanisms of action for artemether include their ability to reduce fever by production of signals to hypothalamus thermoregulatory center. Now, recent research has shown the presence of a new, previously unknown cyclooxygenase enzyme COX-3, found in the brain and spinal cord, which is selectively inhibited by artemether, and is distinct from the two already known cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2. It is now believed that this selective inhibition of the enzyme COX-3 in the brain and spinal cord explains the ability of artemether in relieving pain and reducing fever which is produced by malaria. The most common adverse reactions in adults (>30%) are headache, anorexia, dizziness, asthenia, arthralgia and myalgia.

CNS Activity

Curator's Comment: Meningeal inflammation increases artemether concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid in сhildrens treated with intramuscular artemether. http://aac.asm.org/content/55/11/5027.full

Originator

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21989013Kexue Tongbao (Chinese Edition) (1979), 24, (14), 667-9.
Curator's Comment: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2778258/

Approval Year

TargetsConditions

Conditions

ConditionModalityTargetsHighest PhaseProduct
Primary
Eurartesim

Approved Use

Eurartesim is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults, adolescents, children and infants 6 months and over and weighing 5 kg or more.
Curative
Eurartesim

Approved Use

Eurartesim is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults, adolescents, children and infants 6 months and over and weighing 5 kg or more.
Curative
Artemisinin

Approved Use

Treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in areas where there is evidence that chloroquine, pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine, mefloquine and quinine are ineffective. It should always be administered together with mefloquine in full therapeutic dose.

Launch Date

1984
Curative
COARTEM

Approved Use

Coartem (artemether/lumefantrine) Tablets are indicated for treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria infections due to Plasmodium falciparum in patients of 5 kg bodyweight and above. Coartem Tablets have been shown to be effective in geographical regions where resistance to chloroquine has been reported [see Clinical Studies (14.1)

Launch Date

2009
Cmax

Cmax

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
60 ng/mL
80 mg single, oral
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
ARTEMETHER plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
AUC

AUC

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
146 ng × h/mL
80 mg single, oral
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
ARTEMETHER plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
T1/2

T1/2

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
1.6 h
80 mg single, oral
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
ARTEMETHER plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
Funbound

Funbound

ValueDoseCo-administeredAnalytePopulation
4.6%
80 mg single, oral
dose: 80 mg
route of administration: Oral
experiment type: SINGLE
co-administered:
ARTEMETHER plasma
Homo sapiens
population: HEALTHY
age: ADULT
sex: UNKNOWN
food status: UNKNOWN
Doses

Doses

DosePopulationAdverse events​
80 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 80 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 80 mg, 3 times / day
Co-administed with::
lumefantrine, p.o(480 mg, b.i.d)
Sources: Page: p.3
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Condition: Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Sources: Page: p.3
Disc. AE: QT interval prolonged...
AEs leading to
discontinuation/dose reduction:
QT interval prolonged
Sources: Page: p.3
80 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 80 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 80 mg, 3 times / day
Co-administed with::
lumefantrine, p.o(480 mg, b.i.d)
Sources: Page: p.1
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Condition: Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Sources: Page: p.1
AEs

AEs

AESignificanceDosePopulation
QT interval prolonged Disc. AE
80 mg 3 times / day multiple, oral
Recommended
Dose: 80 mg, 3 times / day
Route: oral
Route: multiple
Dose: 80 mg, 3 times / day
Co-administed with::
lumefantrine, p.o(480 mg, b.i.d)
Sources: Page: p.3
unhealthy
Health Status: unhealthy
Condition: Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Sources: Page: p.3
Overview

Overview

CYP3A4CYP2C9CYP2D6hERG



Drug as perpetrator​Drug as victim

Drug as victim

TargetModalityActivityMetaboliteClinical evidence
major
yes (co-administration study)
Comment: administration of ketoconazole le to an increase in artemether (2.3-fold), dihydroartemisinin (1.5 fold), and lumefantrine (1.6-fold) exposure in healthy subjects;
Page: 14.0
minor
minor
minor
PubMed

PubMed

TitleDatePubMed
Pharmacokinetics of artesunate after single oral administration to rats.
2001
Demonstrating the validity of natural products as anti-infective drugs.
2001
Gas concentration effects on secondary metabolite production by plant cell cultures.
2001
Systematic reviews of complementary therapies - an annotated bibliography. Part 2: herbal medicine.
2001
Pharmacokinetic interactions of antimalarial agents.
2001
Severe falciparum malaria in five soldiers from East Timor: a case series and literature review.
2001 Aug
CoMFA of artemisinin derivatives: effect of location and size of lattice.
2001 Aug 6
Artemisinin and derivatives: the future for malaria treatment?
2001 Dec
In vivo-in vitro model for the assessment of clinically relevant antimalarial cross-resistance.
2001 Dec
Current progress in the development and use of artemether for chemoprophylaxis of major human schistosome parasites.
2001 Dec
Authentication of artemether, artesunate and dihydroartemisinin antimalarial tablets using a simple colorimetric method.
2001 Dec
A comparison of oral artesunate and artemether antimalarial bioactivities in acute falciparum malaria.
2001 Dec
The potential of artemether for the control of schistosomiasis.
2001 Dec
The role of glutathione in the neurotoxicity of artemisinin derivatives in vitro.
2001 Feb 15
Rational use of drugs against Plasmodium falciparum.
2001 Jul-Aug
Effects of matrine, artemisinin, tetrandrine on cytosolic [Ca2+]i in guinea pig ventricular myocytes.
2001 Jun
Frequency of early rising parasitemia in falciparum malaria treated with artemisinin derivatives.
2001 Mar
New manzamine alkaloids with potent activity against infectious diseases.
2001 Mar 7
Synthesis and cytotoxicity of artemisinin derivatives containing cyanoarylmethyl group.
2001 May
In vitro susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Myanmar to antimalarial drugs.
2001 Nov
Chlorproguanil-dapsone (LAPDAP) for uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
2001 Nov
Controlling malaria: challenges and solutions.
2001 Nov
Artesunate and praziquantel for the treatment of Schistosoma haematobium infections: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
2001 Nov 15
'To search and studdy out the secrett of tropical diseases by way of experiment'.
2001 Nov-Dec
Improved oral bioavailability of artemisinin through inclusion complexation with beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins.
2001 Oct 4
Chemotherapeutic approaches to protozoa: haemosporina--current level of knowledge and outlook.
2001 Sep
Antimalarial activity of azithromycin, artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin in fresh isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in Thailand.
2001 Sep 1
Fourier transform infrared investigation of non-heme Fe(III) and Fe(II) decomposition of artemisinin and of a simplified trioxane alcohol.
2001 Sep 13
Assessment of susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine, quinine, mefloquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artemisinin in southern Viet Nam.
2001 Sep-Oct
Effect of antimalarial drugs on plasmodia cell-free protein synthesis.
2002 Apr
Epidemiology of drug-resistant malaria.
2002 Apr
Efficacy of artesunate and praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium infected schoolchildren.
2002 Apr
Clinical status and implications of antimalarial drug resistance.
2002 Feb
Anhydrodihydroartemisinin and its 10-trifluoromethyl analogue: access to novel d-ring-contracted artemisinin trifluoromethyl ketones.
2002 Feb 22
Mechanism-based design of parasite-targeted artemisinin derivatives: synthesis and antimalarial activity of new diamine containing analogues.
2002 Feb 28
Alkylating capacity and reaction products of antimalarial trioxanes after activation by a heme model.
2002 Feb 8
Plasmodium falciparum: in vitro interactions of artemisinin with amodiaquine, pyronaridine, and chloroquine.
2002 Jan
New chemical and biological aspects of artemisinin-derived trioxane dimers.
2002 Jan
Simple and rapid physico-chemical methods to examine action of antimalarial drugs with hemin: its application to Artemisia annua constituents.
2002 Jan 4
Assessment of the neurotoxicity of oral dihydroartemisinin in mice.
2002 Jan-Feb
Antiulcerogenic activity of some sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Artemisia annua.
2002 Jun
Management of malaria in Thailand.
2002 Mar
Heme-artemisinin adducts are crucial mediators of the ability of artemisinin to inhibit heme polymerization.
2002 Mar
From mechanistic studies on artemisinin derivatives to new modular antimalarial drugs.
2002 Mar
Adverse effects of the antimalaria drug, mefloquine: due to primary liver damage with secondary thyroid involvement?
2002 Mar 25
First synthesis of 10 alpha-(trifluoromethyl)deoxoartemisinin.
2002 Mar 7
Recent investigations of artemether, a novel agent for the prevention of schistosomiasis japonica, mansoni and haematobia.
2002 May
How might qinghaosu (artemisinin) and related compounds kill the intraerythrocytic malaria parasite? A chemist's view.
2002 May
Central role of the spleen in malaria parasite clearance.
2002 May 15
Transferrin overcomes drug resistance to artemisinin in human small-cell lung carcinoma cells.
2002 May 28
Patents

Sample Use Guides

Adults and children: 25 mg/kg on the first day followed by 12.5 mg/kg on the second and third days in combination with mefloquine (15 mg/kg) in a single dose on the second day. In some areas, a higher dose (25 mg/kg) of mefloquine may be required for a cure to be obtained.
Route of Administration: Oral
In Vitro Use Guide
Artemisinine was active against 3 chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum, strains K1 and T996 from Thailand and LS21 from India, with complete growth inhibition at 10(-7) M.
Substance Class Chemical
Created
by admin
on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
Edited
by admin
on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
Record UNII
C7D6T3H22J
Record Status Validated (UNII)
Record Version
  • Download
Name Type Language
ARTEMETHER
DASH   HSDB   INN   MART.   MI   ORANGE BOOK   USAN   USP-RC   USP-RS   VANDF   WHO-DD   WHO-IP  
USAN   INN  
Official Name English
.BETA.-ARTEMETHER
Common Name English
NSC-665970
Code English
GVITHER
Common Name English
(+)-ARTEMETHER
Common Name English
ARTEMETHER [JAN]
Common Name English
COARTEM COMPONENT ARTEMETHER
Brand Name English
SM224
Code English
ARTEMETHER [MART.]
Common Name English
(3R,5aS,6R,8aS,9R,10S,12R,12aR)-10-Methoxy-3,6,9-trimethyldecahydro-3,12-epoxypyrano[4,3-j]-1,2-benzodioxepine
Common Name English
ARTEMETHERUM [WHO-IP LATIN]
Common Name English
MALARTEM
Common Name English
NSC-759820
Code English
(3R,5AS,6R,8AS,9R,10S,12R,12AR)-DECAHYDRO-10-METHOXY-3,6,9-TRIMETHYL-3,12-EPOXY-12H-PYRANO(4,3-J)-1,2-BENZODIOXEPIN
Systematic Name English
ARTEMETHER [HSDB]
Common Name English
ARTESAPH
Common Name English
LARITHER
Common Name English
ARTEMETHER [USAN]
Common Name English
FALCIDOL
Common Name English
PALUTHER
Common Name English
3,12-EPOXY-12H-PYRANO(4,3-J)-1,2-BENZODIOXEPIN, DECAHYDRO-10-METHOXY-3,6,9-TRIMETHYL-, (3R,5AS,6R,8AS,9R,10S,12R,12AR)-
Common Name English
ARTEMETHER [USP-RS]
Common Name English
Artemether [WHO-DD]
Common Name English
artemether [INN]
Common Name English
.BETA.-DIHYDROARTEMISININ METHYL ETHER
Common Name English
ARTEMETHER [MI]
Common Name English
ARTEMETHER [VANDF]
Common Name English
ARTEMETHER [WHO-IP]
Common Name English
ARTEMETHER COMPONENT OF COARTEM
Brand Name English
ARTEMETHER [ORANGE BOOK]
Common Name English
Classification Tree Code System Code
WHO-ATC P01BF01
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
WHO-ESSENTIAL MEDICINES LIST 6.5.3.1
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
NDF-RT N0000175482
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
FDA ORPHAN DRUG 245507
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
WHO-ATC P01BE02
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
WHO-ESSENTIAL MEDICINES LIST 6.5.3.1 (ART/LUM)
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
EU-Orphan Drug EU/3/09/702
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
NCI_THESAURUS C271
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
Code System Code Type Description
FDA UNII
C7D6T3H22J
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
WIKIPEDIA
ARTEMETHER
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
PUBCHEM
68911
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
ChEMBL
CHEMBL566534
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
MESH
C032942
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
NSC
665970
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
RXCUI
18343
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY RxNorm
LACTMED
Artemether and Lumefantrine
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
EVMPD
SUB05574MIG
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
CHEBI
195280
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
DAILYMED
C7D6T3H22J
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
RS_ITEM_NUM
1042780
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
MERCK INDEX
m2075
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY Merck Index
NCI_THESAURUS
C73001
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
EPA CompTox
DTXSID7040651
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
DRUG BANK
DB06697
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
HSDB
7456
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
WHO INTERNATIONAL PHARMACOPEIA
ARTEMETHER
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY Description: White crystals or a white, crystalline powder. Solubility: Practically insoluble in water; very soluble in dichloromethane R and acetone R; freely soluble in ethyl acetate R and dehydrated ethanol R. Category: Antimalarial drug. Storage: Artemether should be kept in a tightly closed container and protected from light. Labelling: The designation Artemether for parenteral use indicates that the substance complies with the additional requirements and may be used for parenteral administration. Additional information: The parenteral form is normally intended for intramuscular administration. Requirement: Artemether contains not less than 97.0% and not more than the equivalent of 102.0% of C16H26O5 using ?Assay?, method A, andnot less than 98.0% and not more than the equivalent of 102.0% of C16H26O5 using ?Assay?, method B, both calculated with reference to the dried substance.
NSC
759820
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
USAN
UU-173
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
INN
6458
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
SMS_ID
100000092762
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
DRUG CENTRAL
245
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
CAS
71963-77-4
Created by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023 , Edited by admin on Fri Dec 15 15:40:12 GMT 2023
PRIMARY
Related Record Type Details
METABOLIC ENZYME -> SUBSTRATE
MAJOR
METABOLIC ENZYME -> SUBSTRATE
MINOR
BINDER->LIGAND
BINDING
METABOLIC ENZYME -> SUBSTRATE
METABOLIC ENZYME -> SUBSTRATE
MINOR
METABOLIC ENZYME -> SUBSTRATE
MINOR
Related Record Type Details
METABOLITE -> PARENT
METABOLITE ACTIVE -> PRODRUG
METABOLITE -> PARENT
METABOLITE -> PARENT
Related Record Type Details
IMPURITY -> PARENT
IMPURITY -> PARENT
IMPURITY -> PARENT
IMPURITY -> PARENT
Related Record Type Details
ACTIVE MOIETY
Name Property Type Amount Referenced Substance Defining Parameters References
Tmax PHARMACOKINETIC
Biological Half-life PHARMACOKINETIC