move to bottomAbout ARCO®
ARCO® Tablet is the newest generation of high efficacy oral fixed-dose Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) antimalarials available in the world. Arco® tablet is light-yellow coloured combination tablet of 78.3 mg of Naphthoquine phosphate (equivalent to 50 mg of Naphthoquine) and 125 mg of Artemisinin in each tablet.
Malaria
Malaria is a common disease in tropical and developing countries. It is caused by organisms which enter the body when an individual is bitten by infectious mosquitoes. These organisms are known as Plasmodium parasites and they cause the Malaria disease.
It is IMPORTANT to note that malaria infection can be very serious, and if it is not treated properly and timely, can cause death!
Globally, the malaria situation is far worse today than at any time in the past century. About 300 million cases of malaria every year, and more people die of malaria each year than have ever died of AIDS. About one human is killed by malarial disease in every 15 second around the world. World-wide, infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum probably result in over 2 million deaths each year.
Artemisinin
Currently, the Plasmodium parasites have developed different levels of resistance to commonly used Antimalarial drugs, except for Artemisinin. Hence the guideline by WHO (World Health Organization) favouring the use of Artemisinin but in combination with other reliable Antimalarial components like Naphthoquine for effective malaria treatment.
The Special Combination
Artemisinin immediately starts the antimalarial action by rapidly killing all the malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites in the body (about 97% of the plasmodium parasites are rapidly killed and cleared in 24 hours!) Artemisinin is safe, non-toxic.
Naphthoquine which stays in the body (longer half-life: 276 hours), starts its own antimalarial action by 72 hours, clears any remaining Plasmodium parasites, and continues its action for more than 10 days! Naphthoquine is safe and has good tolerance. Moreover, it is a new antimalarial substance discovered in the year 2004 which has not been used as a single agent for treatment; hence, it does not have any history of malaria resistance.
Hence, Artemisinin commences the action, while Naphthoquine continues and maintains the treatment!
The Arco® Advantage
- Superior efficacy and Tolerance
- Rapid & Steady Action: Fast onset and Long duration of Anti-Plasmodium action.
- Effective against Resistant Malaria: No drug resistance has been found for both components.
How to Use
Arco® is indicated for the treatment of all forms of malaria, including multi-drug resistant malaria.
Arco® is an oral tablet, hence meant to be taken by mouth with water.
Arco® is specially and uniquely designed for a SINGLE-DOSE treatment taken in ONE-DAY.
Arco® is recommended to be taken as a One-Day dose of eight (8) tablets at once for adults 50Kg and above.
Alternatively, in adults 50Kg and above, Arco® can also be taken as One-Day dose of four (4) tablets taken two times not more than 12 hours apart
See FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for dosage in persons less than 50Kg.
Total dose for person 50Kg and above contains Naphthoquine 400mg and Artemisinin 1000mg (1400mg).
ARCO® Frequently Asked Questions back to top
- What makes Arco® unique?
- Is Arco® an A.C.T. antimalarial drug?
- What is Artemisinin?
- What is Naphthoquine?
- Is Arco® a safe drug?
- Is Arco® effective for clinical use?
- Does Arco® treat Resistance Malaria?
- Is Arco® safe in children?
- What is the dosage of Arco® in children (5-15years)?
- Can Arco® be used in Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding?
- When is Arco® contra-indicated?
- Does Arco® have special pre-cautions?
- Where can I find Arco®?
- Is Arco® expensive?
- What about Side-Effects and Adverse Reactions?
- How do I store Arco®?
What makes ARCOŽ unique?
ArcoŽ is unique in the sense that it combines fast-acting antimalarial Artemisinin, that starts treatment immediately, and then the treatment is maintained by the longer-acting component Naphthoquine.
Is ArcoŽ an A.C.T antimalarial drug?
Yes, ArcoŽ is an A.C.T. which means Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy antimalarial drug.
What is Artemisinin?
Artemisinin is a derivative of the Chinese plant, Qinghaosu. It exerts its antimalarial activity by interfering with protein synthesis in the parasite as well as by the destruction of the parasite cell-membrane resulting in the death of the plasmodium parasite
What is Naphthoquine?
Naphthoquine belongs to unique group of antimalarial known as Tetra-aminoquinoline. It does not have any known resistance by the plasmodium parasite.
Is ArcoŽ a safe drug?
Yes, ArcoŽ is a safe drug. However, it may produce few side effects such as nausea and mild stomach discomfort in some individuals which disappear within a short time.
Is Arco® effective for clinical use?
Yes, Arco® can be used effectively under clinical conditions. A Clinical trial showed a 97.5% cure rate for ArcoŽ. It further showed that ArcoŽ rapidly kills and clears 97% of the malaria parasites (P. falciparum and P. vivax) from the blood within 24 hours. ArcoŽ also quickly resolves the fever associated with acute malaria infection.
Does ArcoŽ treat Resistant Malaria?
Yes, ArcoŽ treats malaria illness that has become resistant to other antimalarial drugs. The two components in ArcoŽ go a step further by actively preventing the development of drug resistance. Furthermore, since Naphthoquine had not been used as a monotherapy (single-drug treatment), no established drug resistance exists Yes, ArcoŽ treats malaria illness that has become resistant to other antimalarial drugs. The two components in ArcoŽ go a step further by actively preventing the development of drug resistance. Furthermore, since Naphthoquine had not been used as a monotherapy (single-drug treatment), no established drug resistance exists for ARCOŽ.
Is ArcoŽ safe in children? back to top
Yes, ArcoŽ is safe in children. The tablet is recommended in persons aged 5years and above. (Suspension for use in children below 5years will soon be available).
What is the dosage of ArcoŽ in children (5-15years)?
Although detailed use of ArcoŽ in children is not available, it can be calculated on a full dose of 1400mg for a 50kg patient, i.e. 20mg Artemisinin+8mg Naphthoquine per kg body weight of the child. See table below:
| Body Weight | Dosage |
|---|---|
| 16kg – 20kg | 3 tablets |
| 21kg – 32kg | 4 tablets |
| 33kg – 49kg | 6 tablets |
| ≥50kg | 8 tablets |
Can ArcoŽ be used in Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding?
Like every other drug, ArcoŽ is not recommended in pregnancy. Excretion of ArcoŽ into breast-milk is not significant. However it is generally advised to be used with caution during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
When is ArcoŽ contra-indicated?
ArcoŽ is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to the components of this drug, for persons with liver and kidney, for women who are less than 5 months pregnant.
Does ArcoŽ have special pre-cautions?
ArcoŽ should be with caution in patients with liver or kidney problem (impairment). The dosage MUST NOT be repeated within 10 (ten) days.
Where can I find ArcoŽ?
ArcoŽ is readily and widely available at Pharmacy shops all over Nigeria. You may also ask your Doctor, Pharmacist or Nurse.
Is ArcoŽ expensive?
ArcoŽ is affordable to every one. This is so because ArcoŽ offers you treatment which is reliable and protects you for a very long time. ArcoŽ is very effective each time it is used, so much money will not be wasted on other treatments that may later fail.
What about Side-Effects and Adverse Reactions?
These may include nausea and stomach discomfort, this is transient. But no major toxicity has been recorded.
How do I store ArcoŽ? back to top
Like all drugs & medicaments, ArcoŽ should be kept out of the reach of children. ArcoŽ should be stored in a dry place, protected from light.
Contact us
| Email Address | Helplines |
|---|---|
| arcoenquiries@ngcplc.com | +234 802 888 0000 |