Question

Artemether, an antimalarial drug prepared from the Chinese antimalarial plant Artemisia annua, can be given either orally or by injection. When the drug is given in pill form, the patient receives 160 mg on the first day, then 80. Mg daily for the next four days. When the drug is given by injection, the patient receives 3.2 mg/kg of body weight on the first day, and then 1.6 mg/kg daily for the next four days. (a) which method gives 40.-kg individual the larger dose? (b) Which method gives a 100.-kg individual the larger dose?

Answer 1

40 kg individual pill method first day 160 mg next four days 4 times 80 mg = 320mg total = 160mg + 320mg = 480mg injection method first day 3.2mg/kg times 40 kg = 128 mg next four days 1.6mg/kg day times 40 kg times 4 days = 256 mg total = 128 mg + 256 mg = 384 mg pill method given gives 40 kg individual the larger dose 100 kg individual pill method 480mg injection method gives 100 kg individual the larger dose injection method first day 3.2 mg/kg times 100kg = 320mg next 4 days 1.6mg/kg times 100 kg times 4 days = 640mg total = 320mg + 640mg 960mg