What is Artesunate?

Artesunate (AS) is a medication used to treat malaria.[3][4][5] The intravenous form is preferred to quinine for severe malaria.[4] Often it is used as part of combination therapy, such as artesunate plus mefloquine.[5] It is not used for the prevention of malaria.[5] Artesunate can be given by injection into a vein, injection into a muscle, by mouth, and by rectum.[5][6][7]