Intravenous Artemisinin and Its Derivatives in Supportive Cancer Care

What is artemisinin?

Artemesia annua is a medicinal plant with a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Artemisinin is an extract from Artemisia annua. Several semi-synthetic derivatives have been developed including artesunate and dihydro-artemisinin. Artemisinin and artesunate are approved for the treatment of malaria. They are sometimes used in cancer treatment, usually in oral or intravenous (IV) form.

What are artemisinin and its derivatives used for?

Artemisinin and its derivatives are sometimes used with the aim of improving cancer outcomes, including response rate and survival, although they are not approved for this use. Oral and IV artesunate are the most common forms and routes used in cancer care.

Artemisinin and its derivatives are not a cure for cancer. These agents are not an alternative for chemotherapy or other cancer treatments.

To read more about IV Artesunate - download the research summary. 

IV therapies at the CHI are supportive and not intended as alternatives to chemotherapy, radiation, surgery or other hospital based treatments.

IV treatments are provided in a group setting at the CHI by Registered Nurses (RNs) and IV-certified Naturopathic Doctors (NDs).

Eligibility for IV therapy is determined through visits with your CHI care team including a naturopathic doctor, integrative & functional medicine practitioner and nurse practitioner. IV therapies are not suitable for every patient under our care.

More questions?  Read more about intravenous therapy and FAQS