Artemether and
lumefantrine
Class:Antimalarial
Mechanism of action
Artemether is a strong schizonticide and can bring about rapid control of
symptoms by destroying plasmodium.It is equally effective against chloroquine
resistant strains of subtertian malaria but ineffective in gametocytes.
Indications
It is indicated for the treatment of adults and children with acute
plasmodium falciparum and mixed infections.Patients with acute malaria are
frequently averse to food.The dose may be taken with food.Patients should be
encouraged to resume normal eating as soon as food can be tolerated since this
improves absorption of artemether and lumefantrine The event of vomiting within
1 hour of administration a repeat dose should be taken.
Precautions
Artemether has not been evaluated for the treatment of cerebral malaria
or other severe manifestation of complicated malaria including pulmonary edema
or renal failure.Several antimalarial known to cause QTc prolongation and a slight QTc
prolongation without clinical symptoms has been observed in a few patients
mainly in cases where concomitant dehydration or electrolyte imbalance was
present.Patients who remain averse to food during trearment should be closely
monitored,as the risk to recrudescences may be greater.
Pregnancy and
lactation
The safe use of artemether and lumefantrine during pregnancy has not been
established.No data are available on the excretion of either of the two
components in the breast milk.
Drug interaction
No specific drug interaction studies in humans have been conducted of
artemether and lumefantrine.
Dosage
Adults:4 tablets as a single dose at the time of initial diagnosis,and
then 8,24 and 48 hours thereafter (total course comprises 16 tablets).Children
5-15 kg body-weight:1 tablet as a single dose at the time of initial
diagnosis,and then 8,24 and 48 hours thereafter (total course comprises 4 tablets).15-25
kg body-weight:2 tablets as a single dose at the time of initial diagnosis,and
then 8,24 and 48 hours thereafter (total course comprises 8 tablets).25-35 kg
body-weight:3 tablets as a single dose at the time of initial diagnosis,and
then 8,24 and 48 hours thereafter (total course comprises 12 tablets).
Brands
Tabs.Exafal.Tabs.Co-Mether,Tabs.Artelum
