calsunate ds tablet

4.4 (17 reviews)

Artesunate (NA)

🏭 Calibar Pharmaceuticals 📦 Varies by brand 💊 Allopathy 📅 Updated: Aug 23, 2026

📋 Prescription Required 💊 Generic Available

Medically Reviewed

SaathiMed Expert Panel | Aug 23, 2026

What is calsunate ds tablet used for?

Azunate (Artesunate) is used to treat ANTI MALARIALS. It contains Artesunate (NA), which Artesunate is a prodrug that is converted to dihydroartemisinin, which generates. Always consult your doctor before use. Take as prescribed.

Generic Name: Artesunate
Manufacturer: Calibar Pharmaceuticals
Form: Allopathy
Pregnancy Category: A
Prescription Required: Yes

💡 Did You Know? The first generic medicine was introduced in India in 1970 after the Patents Act was amended.

💊 calsunate ds tablet Uses & Benefits

Severe malaria (IV/IM); uncomplicated malaria (oral combination therapy); multidrug-resistant malaria.

Off-label uses: Babesiosis (in combination with other agents); some autoimmune diseases (investigational).

📋 Drug Information

Generic Name(s)	Artesunate
Brand Name	Azunate
Manufacturer	Calibar Pharmaceuticals
Packaging / Form	Varies by brand (Allopathy)
Therapeutic Class	ANTI MALARIALS
Action Class	Antimalarial- Artemisinin and derivatives
Route of Administration	Intravenous, intramuscular, oral.
Storage	Store at room temperature (20-25°C); protect from light and moisture.
Shelf Life	As per manufacturer

🔬 Pharmacology (PK/PD)

Pharmacokinetics

AbsorptionRapidly absorbed after intramuscular or intravenous administration; oral absorption is rapid but with high first-pass metabolism.

DistributionWidely distributed throughout the body; crosses the blood-brain barrier and placenta.

Protein BindingApproximately 81-93% bound to plasma proteins.

MetabolismPrimarily hydrolyzed to dihydroartemisinin (active metabolite) by esterases in the liver and blood.

Half-LifeArtesunate: ~2-3 minutes; Dihydroartemisinin: ~45-60 minutes.

ExcretionPrimarily via urine (as metabolites); small amount in feces.

BioavailabilityIntravenous: 100%; Intramuscular: ~85-90%; Oral: ~40-60% due to first-pass metabolism.

Onset of ActionRapid (within 30 minutes for IV/IM).

Peak Plasma TimeArtesunate: 5-15 minutes; Dihydroartemisinin: 1-2 hours.

Duration of ActionShort; requires multiple doses.

How It Works

Artesunate is a prodrug that is converted to dihydroartemisinin, which generates free radicals that damage parasite proteins and membranes.

Mechanism Steps

1Artesunate is administered and rapidly converted to dihydroartemisinin (DHA) by esterases.

2DHA enters the parasite and interacts with heme (from hemoglobin digestion).

3The iron in heme cleaves the endoperoxide bridge of DHA, generating free radicals.

💡 How to Take calsunate ds tablet

Follow your doctor's prescription exactly.

⚠️ Side Effects of calsunate ds tablet

✅ Common Side Effects

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Headache
Dizziness
Fever

🚨 Serious Side Effects

Severe allergic reactions
Hemolytic anemia
QT prolongation
Seizures

⚠️ Rare Side Effects

Neurotoxicity (ataxia, tremors)
Hepatitis
Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

🔬 Drug Interactions

⚠️ Drug	Severity	Effect
Mefloquine	Major	Increased risk of seizures and QT prolongation
Rifampin	Major	Reduced artesunate efficacy due to enzyme induction
Carbamazepine	Major	Decreased artesunate levels
Phenytoin	Major	Decreased artesunate levels
Warfarin	Moderate	Increased INR and bleeding risk
Grapefruit juice	Minor	Possible slight increase in artesunate levels

🚨 Major Interactions

Mefloquine
Rifampin
Carbamazepine
Phenytoin

⚡ Moderate Interactions

Warfarin
Anticoagulants
Antiplatelet agents

ℹ️ Minor Interactions

Grapefruit juice
Cimetidine

🍽️ Food Interactions

No significant food interactions; absorption may be slightly delayed with high-fat meals.

🍷 Alcohol Interaction

Avoid alcohol; may increase hepatotoxicity risk.

🛡️ Safety & Warnings

🚫 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to artesunate or any component; first trimester of pregnancy (unless no alternative).

📊 Monitoring Parameters

Parasitemia levels, complete blood count, liver function tests, ECG if co-administered with QT-prolonging drugs.

🤱 Lactation Safety

Excreted in breast milk in small amounts; caution advised.

💊 Overdose Management

Supportive care; no specific antidote. Monitor for neurotoxicity (rare).

⏰ Missed Dose

Take as soon as remembered; if near next dose, skip missed dose. Do not double dose.

👨‍⚕️ Reviewed by Expert

SaathiMed Expert Panel

MD, PhD - Pharmacology

Last reviewed on: Aug 23, 2026

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🔄 Substitutes for calsunate ds tablet

View All

Alternative brands with exact same active ingredient (Artesunate (NA)):

Medical Note: Always consult your doctor before switching medications.

⭐ User Reviews

Regular Customer Jul 10, 2026

Good quality medicine. Satisfied with the outcome.

Verified User Jul 10, 2026

Effective and reliable. Worked as expected.