Artemether and lumefantrine

Generic name: Artemether And Lumefantrine
Brand names: Coartem
Dosage form: oral tablet (20 mg-120 mg)
Drug class: Antimalarial combinations

Usage of Artemether and lumefantrine

Artemether and lumefantrine are anti-malaria medications that interfere with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body. Malaria is caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.

Artemether and lumefantrine is a combination medicine used to treat non-severe malaria.

Artemether and lumefantrine is for use in adults and children at least 2 months old or who weigh at least 11 pounds (5 kilograms).

This medication is used only to treat malaria. Do not use artemether and lumefantrine to prevent malaria.

Artemether and lumefantrine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Artemether and lumefantrine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; fast heart rate; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you develop fever, chills, body aches, severe headache, or flu symptoms after you have finished taking all your doses of artemether and lumefantrine.

Also call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

worsening malaria symptoms;

severe vomiting, loss of appetite, or being unable to eat;

fast or pounding heartbeats;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

Common side effects of artemether and lumefantrine may include:

headache, dizziness;

fever, cough, feeling weak or tired;

muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;

joint pain;

vomiting; or

loss of appetite.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Artemether and lumefantrine

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to artemether or lumefantrine.

Many drugs can interact and cause dangerous effects. Some drugs should not be used together with artemether and lumefantrine. Your doctor may change your treatment plan if you also use:

rifampin;

St. John's wort; or

seizure medicine--carbamazepine, phenytoin.

Tell your doctor about all other anti-malaria medications you have used within the past 30 days.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart disease;

long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

liver or kidney disease; or

low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood.

It is not known whether artemether and lumefantrine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Malaria is more likely to cause death in a pregnant woman. If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks of traveling to areas where malaria is common.

Artemether and lumefantrine can make hormonal birth control less effective, including birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings. To prevent pregnancy while using artemether and lumefantrine, use a barrier form of birth control: condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Artemether and lumefantrine should not be given to a child younger than 2 months or who weighs less than 11 pounds.

Relate drugs

How to use Artemether and lumefantrine

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria:

Less than 35 kg: Usual pediatric doseAt least 35 kg: 4 tablets orally as a single initial dose, followed by 4 tablets after 8 hours, and then 4 tablets twice a day (morning and evening) for the following 2 days-Total course: 24 tabletsComments:-A 3-day treatment regimen, with a total of 6 dosesUse: For the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria infections due to Plasmodium falciparum

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria:

2 months or older:-Weight 5 to less than 15 kg: 1 tablet orally as a single initial dose, followed by 1 tablet after 8 hours, and then 1 tablet twice a day (morning and evening) for the following 2 days---Total course: 6 tablets-Weight 15 to less than 25 kg: 2 tablets orally as a single initial dose, followed by 2 tablets after 8 hours, and then 2 tablets twice a day (morning and evening) for the following 2 days---Total course: 12 tablets-Weight 25 to less than 35 kg: 3 tablets orally as a single initial dose, followed by 3 tablets after 8 hours, and then 3 tablets twice a day (morning and evening) for the following 2 days---Total course: 18 tablets-Weight At least 35 kg: 4 tablets orally as a single initial dose, followed by 4 tablets after 8 hours, and then 4 tablets twice a day (morning and evening) for the following 2 days---Total course: 24 tabletsComments:-A 3-day treatment regimen, with a total of 6 dosesUse: For the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria infections due to P falciparum

Warnings

Serious drug interactions can occur when certain medicines are used together. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, or St. John's wort.

What other drugs will affect Artemether and lumefantrine

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect artemether and lumefantrine, especially:

other anti-malaria medications;

heart or blood pressure medication;

antipsychotic medication;

an antidepressant;

seizure medication or medicine for nerve pain in your face;

antibiotics, antifungal medicine, or medicine to treat tuberculosis;

antiviral medicine to treat HIV or AIDS; or

birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect artemether and lumefantrine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.