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Artemether Lumefantrine

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Artemether Lumefantrine, Coartem

  • Indications
  1. Malaria Treatment (Uncomplicated)
  • Medications
  1. Artemether 20 mg and Lumefantrine 120 mg Tablets
    1. May crush tablets and mix with water
  1. Adult (weight >=35 kg)
    1. Day 1: Take 4 tablets orally twice, 8 hours apart on the first day
    2. Days 2 and 3: Take 4 tablets orally twice daily for 2 days
  2. Child (infant weight >5 kg and age >2 months)
    1. Weight 5 to 14 kg: Take 1 tablet orally twice daily for 3 days (8 hours apart on day 1)
    2. Weight 15 to 24 kg: Take 2 tablets orally twice daily for 3 days (8 hours apart on day 1)
    3. Weight 25 to 34 kg: Take 3 tablets orally twice daily for 3 days (8 hours apart on day 1)
  • Safety
  1. Considered in Lactation
  2. Pregnancy
    1. Unknownn safety in first trimester (but may be used if no alternatives available)
    2. Considered safe in later pregnancy
  • Adverse Effects
  1. QT Prolongation
    1. Risk of Torsades de Pointes
  2. Vomiting
    1. May repeat dose once if Vomiting within 1 to 2 hours
  • Pharmacokinetics
  1. Lumefantrine has a very long half life
  • Drug Interactions
  1. Halofantrine
    1. Do not use within one month of Coartem
  2. Strong CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Rifampin)
    1. Avoid with Coartem
  3. CYP3A4 Inhibitors
    1. Risk of increased Coartem serum levels with QTc Prolongations
  4. Oral Contraceptives
    1. Coartem decreases effectiveness of Oral Contraceptives (use backup Contraception)
  • Resources
  1. Artemether Lumefantrine (DailyMed)
    1. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=7866ec19-dfac-47d4-a53f-511a12643cbf