Information note on delayed haemolytic anaemia following treatment with artesunate
With this information note, WHO strongly recommends the continued use of injectable artesunate in the treatment of severe malaria. A number of cases of delayed haemolytic anaemia following treatment of severe malaria with injectable artesunate have been identified in non-immune travellers with hyperparasitaemia. There is, however, overwhelming evidence that artesunate (intravenous or intramuscular) is a generally well tolerated and life-saving therapy in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, providing a significant reduction of mortality. The therapeutic benefits far outweigh the risk of artemisinin-related adverse events, including post-treatment delayed haemolytic anaemia.
