Product Class– Over the Counter
Therapeutic Class – Antimalarial (Artemisinin Combination Therapy)
Active Ingredients – Artemether & Lumefantrine
Strength – Artemether 20mg & Lumefantrine 120mg
Indications – Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Falciparum Malaria
Cautions – Electrolyte Disturbances, Concomitant use with other drugs known to cause QT-interval prolongation (ask your cardiologist); Monitor patients unable to take food (greater risk of recrudescence/recurrence); Avoid in Acute porphyria
Contra-indications – History of Arrhythmias, History of Clinically relevant Bradycardia and of Congestive heart failure accompanied by reduced left ventricular ejection fraction; Family history of sudden death or congenital QT interval prolongation (Ask your Cardiologist)
Hepatic (Liver) Impairment – Caution in Severe impairment
Renal (Kidney) Impairment – Caution in Severe impairment; monitor ECG and plasma potassium concentration
Pregnancy – Toxicity in animal studies with Artemether; Use only if potential benefits outweigh risk.
Breast-Feeding – Avoid breast feeding for at least 1 week after last dose; present in milk in animal studies.
Side Effects – Abdominal pain, Diarrhoea, Vomiting, Nausea, Anorexia; Palpitation, Prolonged QT Interval, Cough, Headache, dizziness, Sleep Disturbances, Asthenia, Paraesthesia, Arthalgia, Myalgia; Pruitus, Rash, Less commonly Ataxia, Hypoaesthesia, and Clonus
Dose:
| Weight Range(kg) | Total Tablet | Dosage Regimen | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |||||
| 0hrs | 8hrs | 24hrs | 36hrs | 48hrs | 60hrs | ||
| 5-15 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 15-25 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 25-35 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| >35 | 24 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
