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ANTIPARASITIC PRODUCTS, INSECTICIDES AND REPELLENTS › ANTIPROTOZOALS › ANTIMALARIALS › Artemisinin and derivatives, combinations
artemether and lumefantrine
P01BF01
Forms & Strengths
- Tablet: artemether 20 mg / lumefantrine 120 mg
Adult Dosing
- Uncomplicated malaria: 4 tablets per dose given at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours (total 6-dose course)
- Administer with high-fat food to enhance absorption
Pediatric Dosing
- Weight 5 to <15 kg: 1 tablet per dose at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours
- Weight 15 to <25 kg: 2 tablets per dose at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours
- Weight 25 to <35 kg: 3 tablets per dose at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours
- Weight >=35 kg: 4 tablets per dose at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours
Indications
- Treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
Mechanism of Action
- Artemether produces rapid clearance of parasitemia via endoperoxide moiety interacting with iron
- Lumefantrine provides longer elimination half-life to eliminate residual parasites
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to artemether or lumefantrine
- Severe malaria
- Concomitant administration with strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine)
- Concomitant administration with drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g., antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics)
Adverse Reactions
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Asthenia
- Anorexia
- Nausea and vomiting
- Myalgia and arthralgia
- Prolonged QT interval
Drug Interactions
- CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) may increase lumefantrine concentrations
- CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, St. John's wort) may decrease efficacy
- QT-prolonging drugs (e.g., antipsychotics, macrolide antibiotics) increase risk of cardiac arrhythmias
- Hormonal contraceptives: efficacy may be reduced; reliable barrier methods recommended
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use