[2] The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum with artemisinin-based combination therapy.

[8] Given in combination with lumefantrine, it may be followed by a 14-day regimen of primaquine to prevent relapse of P. vivax or P. ovale malarial parasites and provide a complete cure.

[9] Artemether can also be used in treating and preventing trematode infections of schistosomiasis when used in combination with praziquantel.

[10] Artemether is rated category C by the FDA based on animal studies where artemisinin derivatives have shown an association with fetal loss and deformity.

[3] Artemether is metabolized in the human body to the active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin, primarily by hepatic enzymes CYP3A4/5.

[3] Artemether is a methyl ether derivative of artemisinin, which is a peroxide-containing lactone isolated from the antimalarial plant Artemisia annua.

It is a relatively lipophilic and unstable drug,[20] which acts by creating reactive free radicals in addition to affecting the membrane transport system of the plasmodium organism.