Evaluation of the Effect of Artesunate in Friedreich Ataxia (FA)

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with FA confirmed by genetic analysis * Weight of at least 50 kg * Compliant patient agreeing to come to all protocol visits * Signature of consent form by patient or parents of minor patient * Patients with no treatment during 30 days prior to the first intake of study drug, except cardiac, diabetes and spasticity treatments * Patients agreeing to use effective contraception for the duration of the study and up to 91 days after the last dose of the study treatment * Affiliation to an Health Insurance Scheme of beneficiary of such a scheme Exclusion Criteria: * Patient under justice protection * Female patients * Abnormal biological values of renal and liver functions and cell blood count (CBC) * Progressive associated disease * Treatment interfering with iron transport within 30 days before first intake of artesunate * Participation to another clinical trial * Hypersensitivity to artesunate or to any component of the drug * Blood potassium lower than normal value * QT / QTc interval \> 450 ms on the ECG performed at inclusion * Congenital long QT syndrome * Family history of sudden cardiac death before the age of 50 * Heart disease: ischemia or myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure or conduction disorder in the 6 months preceding inclusion * History of arrhythmia * Electrolyte imbalances: hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia * Bradycardia (\<50 beats per minute) * Acute neurological events within 6 months prior to inclusion