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Artemisinin side effects should be considered before taking this supplement.
Artemisinin is a natural compound and lactone derivative found in the Artemisia Annua plant, which has been used in traditional herbal remedies for over 2,000 years.
This plant is also known as sweet wormwood, sweet annie and the traditional Chinese medicine name of Qing hao. It is taken to alleviate fevers, treat certain infections and to support the immune system.
More recently, it has been investigated for its anti-cancer effects. While serious side effects are rare, there are certain cases in which the herbal extract should be avoided.
Several drugs can interact with the effects of Artemisinin, and you should speak to your doctor before you take it to make sure there are no contraindications for you.
Immunity
Anti- Viral
Chinese Medicine- Anti-viral & immune supporting properties
- Promotes general health & anti-aging
- Used in Chinese medicine to boost Qi
Top Artemisinin Products* ❯What is Artemisinin used for?
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Artemisinin is used to treat malaria in ACT (Artemisinin Combination Therapies). It is also used for bacterial infections dysentery and tuberculosis.
It is especially effective in treating conditions caused by mites in scabies and worms and parasites in African sleeping sickness and River Blindness.
It is also used for fungal and viral infections. In AIDS patients it used to prevent an often fatal lung infection penumocystis pneumonia (PCP) caused by a fungus.
It is beneficial for autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erthematosus (SLE) and for stomach pain in IBS and Dyspepsia and joint pain in arthritis and rheumatism.
Artemisinin is taken to strengthen the immune system and is used to fortify febrile conditions. It is being studied for treatment of cancer, as it seems to target cancer cells and leaves healthy cells intact.
Artemisinin Side Effects
In general Artemisinin has low toxicity. In malaria treatment, only 3.4 % showed any occurance of side effects including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. If taken by injection it has caused allergic reactions at the injection site and abscesses. There have been cases of mild intramuscular pain when taking the Artemisinin aqueous suspension.
Other Artemisinin side effects include abdominal pain, bouts of low fewer, darkening of urine, dizziness, drowsiness and hypertension. Itching, nausea, skin rashes, sweating, tinnitus and vomiting may also occur.
It can also cause a reduction of immature blood cells. An over dosage of Artemisinin has caused cardiovascular disturbances. In prolonged use, a single case of liver inflammation that was not related to Malaria has been reported.
Artemisinin side effects are more pronounced in severe cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and when used to treat Lyme Disease. This could be caused from the death of harmful microorganisms known as a Herxheimer reaction.
Taking this supplement can also cause anaphylactic shock if allergic to members of the Asteraceae Compositae family. Avocados, chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds and ragweed are in this family.
This supplement should never be taken with grapefruit juice. It should also not be taken if pregnant, especially in the first three months of pregnancy.
Safe Usage of Artemisinin
In traditional Chinese medicine, Artemisinin supplements would not be used in cases of deficiency of the spleen and stomach such as weak digestion and food stagnation.
It would also not be given to postpartum women with blood deficiency or if experiencing diarrhea due to the cold nature of the herb.
It should not be taken with Chinese herbs Da Huang, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Dang Gui, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Sheng Di Huang, Radix Rehmanniae.
If taking as part of a cancer treatment under the direction of a doctor, wait at least two weeks after radiation treatment. And if a smoker, stop smoking for two months, otherwise the healthy cells may also be targeted.
It should also be avoided if Diabetic and if taking anti-seizure medication. Artemisinin should also not be taken with antacids, sucralfate, proton pump inhibitors, and histamine-receptor antagonists. Also don’t take with anti-viral, anti-fungal, or calcium channel blockers as side effects may occur
How Should Artemisinin be Taken?
This supplement should be taken with food. It is also recommended to take the Coenzyme Q10 (coQ10) supplement, 100 mg once a day with a meal. Cod liver oil, cottage cheese, or fish oil help to increase absorption of both of these supplements. It is also important to eat a healthy diet and get some outdoor exercise, as low calcium levels are found in cancer and chronically ill patients.
This supplement can also be taken with Vitamin C after breakfast and lunch to help with absorption of iron, leaving a 2 to 3 hour gap between taking Vitamin C and taking this supplement. The Artemisinin will target the abnormal amounts of iron in malaria, parasite and worm infections and cancer cells. Drinking green tea is also recommended.
If taking this supplement for Lyme Disease or a parasite condition, Chitosan is also recommended, unless allergic to shellfish. This helps to combat the Herxheimer reaction. It assists the body with dietary fiber, hydrates and helps prevent diarrhea.
Fatty acid supplements and fat soluble nutrients like Vitamins A, D, E and K should be taken 1 hour away from taking the Chitosan. The recommended dosage for Chitosan is 2 capsules taken 1/2 hour before one meal per day to start. Follow this dosage schedule for 2-3 days to verify tolerance. It can be increased as needed. Drinking a minimum of 8 glasses of water per day is also suggested.
Artemisinin side effects are usually few except for the noted contraindications. It is an important supplement for treating malaria, parasite conditions and for building up the immune system for febrile conditions. It is being studied currently for cancer treatment due to its selective toxicity to cancer cells and its benefit for fortifying the healthy cells.
- Benakis A, Paris M, Loutan L, Plessas CT, Plessas ST. Pharmacokinetics of artemisinin and artesunate after oral administration in healthy volunteers. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1997
- Abdin MZ, Israr M, Rehman RU, Jain SK. Artemisinin, a novel antimalarial drug: biochemical and molecular approaches for enhanced production. Planta Med. 2003
- Njuguna NM, Ongarora DS, Chibale K. Artemisinin derivatives: a patent review (2006 - present). Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2012
- Haynes RK, Vonwiller SC. Extraction of artemisinin and artemisinic acid: preparation of artemether and new analogues. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1994
- Firestone GL, Sundar SN. Anticancer activities of artemisinin and its bioactive derivatives. Expert Rev Mol Med. 2009
- Zhang XG, Li GX, Zhao SS, Xu FL, Wang YH, Wang W. A review of dihydroartemisinin as another gift from traditional Chinese medicine not only for malaria control but also for schistosomiasis control. Parasitol Res. 2014
Article last updated on: May 12th, 2018 by Nootriment
10 Comments
Why should Artemisinin not be taken with antacids? Is it dangerous or do the antacids make Artemisinin less effective?
I gave my dog long term antacid and then later in day gave Artemesinin, should I be worried?
Please explain why.
It should not be taken with Chinese herbs Da Huang, Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Dang Gui, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, and Sheng Di Huang, Radix Rehmanniae.
and also do you mean at the same time or at all. thank you
artemisinin havedryg interaction? and what the drug Contraindications withartemisinin ?
Hello,
Thanks for your question. The Natural Medicines Database currently lists the following interactions of Artemisinin:
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES:
Calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil), chemotherapeutic agents (etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), glucocorticoids, fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Sublimaze, others), losartan (Cozaar), fluoxetine (Prozac), midazolam (Versed), omeprazole (Prilosec), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), fexofenadine (Allegra)
CYTOCHROME P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) SUBSTRATES:
ketamine (Ketalar), phenobarbital, orphenadrine (Norflex), secobarbital (Seconal), and dexamethasone (Decadron).
I would like to know the same thing as the first commenter:
Why should Artemisinin not be taken with antacids? Is it dangerous or do the antacids make Artemisinin less effective?
I just found the answer to this on another website:
“Artemisia interferes with antacids, sucralfate, proton pump inhibitors, and histamine-receptor antagonists because it increases the production of stomach acid.”
Hey Kat,
Thanks for sharing that information!
I know this supplement is not FDA or even USP certified. The question I have is whether there any suppliers of artemisinin who in any way stand behind there claims of potency or purety? How does the purchaser actually know that what they are buying isn’t just ground up dry leaves of any sort? Do any certify a lack of dangerous thujone, etc.? Do any come with interaction warnings?
Hi Eugene,
Thanks for your question. The best way to validate the product is by purchasing from a manufacturer that follows cGMP guidelines and one who provides a third-party COA verifying the ingredients. You can learn more about how to pick high-quality supplements in our guide here.