Uses
Artemether and lumefantrine combination is used to treat acute, uncomplicated malaria in patients 2 months of age and older who weigh at least 5 kilograms (kg). It may be used to treat malaria infections in areas or regions where it is known that other medicines (eg, chloroquine) may not work.
Artemether and lumefantrine combination belongs to a group of medicines known as antimalarial. It treats malaria, a red blood cell infection transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. However, this medicine is not used to prevent malaria or to treat severe or complicated malaria.
Dosage
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
For the treatment of malaria:
Adults and children 2 months of age and older weighing 35 kilograms or more—At first, 4 tablets as a single dose, then one dose (4 tablets) after 8 hours. On days 2 and 3, take one dose (4 tablets) two times a day. This 3-day treatment schedule should have a total of 24 tablets in six doses.
Children 2 months of age and older weighing 25 kg to less than 35 kg—At first, 3 tablets as a single dose, then one dose (3 tablets) after 8 hours. On days 2 and 3, take one dose (3 tablets) two times a day. This 3-day treatment schedule should have a total of 18 tablets in six doses.
Children 2 months of age and older weighing 15 kg to less than 25 kg—At first, 2 tablets as a single dose, then one dose (2 tablets) after 8 hours. On days 2 and 3, take one dose (2 tablets) two times a day. This 3-day treatment schedule should have a total of 12 tablets in six doses.
Children 2 months of age and older weighing 5 kg to less than 15 kg—At first, 1 tablet as a single dose, then one dose (1 tablet) after 8 hours. On days 2 and 3, take one dose (1 tablet) two times a day. This 3-day treatment schedule should have a total of 6 tablets in six doses.
Children younger than 2 months of age weighing less than 5 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Warnings and Precautions
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of artemether and lumefantrine combination in children 2 months of age and older weighing 5 kilograms (kg) or more. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 months of age weighing less than 5 kg.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of artemether and lumefantrine combination have not been performed in the geriatric population. However, geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of this medication in the elderly are not expected.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
This medicine can cause changes in heart rhythms, such as a condition called QT prolongation. It may change the way your heart beats and cause fainting or serious side effects in some patients. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any symptoms of heart rhythm problems, such as fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeats.
Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have flu-like symptoms (such as chills, fever, headache, or muscle pains) again after treatment with this medicine.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble with breathing, trouble with swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
Malaria is spread by the bites of certain kinds of infected female mosquitoes. If you are living in or will be traveling to an area where there is a chance of getting malaria, the following mosquito-control measures will help to prevent infection:
If possible, avoid going out between dusk and dawn because it is at these times that mosquitoes most commonly bite.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect your arms and legs, especially from dusk through dawn when mosquitoes are out.
Apply insect repellant, preferably one containing DEET, to uncovered areas of the skin from dusk through dawn when mosquitoes are out.
If possible, sleep in a screened or air-conditioned room or under mosquito netting sprayed with insecticide to avoid being bitten by malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Use mosquito coils or sprays to kill mosquitoes in living and sleeping quarters during evening and nighttime hours.
This medicine may decrease the effects of birth control pills or transdermal patches. To avoid an unwanted pregnancy, it is a good idea to use additional contraceptive measures with your pills or patches (eg, condoms, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive foam or jelly) while using this medicine.
Grapefruits and grapefruit juice may increase the effects of artemether and lumefantrine combination by increasing the amount of this medicine in your body. You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you or your child are taking this medicine.
