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Coartem

artemether / lumefantrine
Used for Malaria
Used for Malaria

Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) is an effective alternative treatment for certain types of malaria, but is only available as a brand name medication, so it might be expensive.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Dalga Surofchy, PharmD, APh
reviewer
Michelle Nguyen, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 31, 2021
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsPricesMedicare
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What is Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)?

What is Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) used for?

  • Treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in people 2 months of age or older who weigh at least 5 kg (11 pounds)

How Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) works

Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) is a combination of two antimalarial agents, artemether and lumefantrine. These two agents work together to kill malarial parasites by preventing them from producing DNA and protein.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsCoartem
Drug ClassAntimalarial
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$173.35(save 17.99%)
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$142.17
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What are the side effects of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache (56%)
  • Loss of appetite (40%)
  • Dizziness (39%)
  • Lack of energy (38%)
  • Joint pain (34%)
  • Muscle pain (32%)

Other Side Effects

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Stomach pain
  • Sleep problems
  • Fast heart beat

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Allergic reaction

Source: FDA

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Abdominal or stomach pain

chills

cough

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

fever

headache

muscle aches

pale skin

right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

troubled breathing with exertion

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Accumulation of pus

acid or sour stomach

belching

black, tarry stools

bladder pain

blood in the urine

bloody or cloudy urine

body aches or pain

change in hearing

chest pain

cloudy urine

convulsions

cough producing mucus

decreased urine

diarrhea

difficult, burning, or painful urination

difficulty with breathing

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

dry mouth

ear congestion

ear drainage

earache or pain in the ear

frequent urge to urinate

general feeling of discomfort or illness

heartburn

increased thirst

indigestion

joint pain

loss of appetite

loss of voice

lower back or side pain

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

nasal congestion

nausea or vomiting

noisy breathing

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

red rash with watery, yellow-colored, or pus filled blisters

shivering

sneezing

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

sweating

swollen glands

swollen, red, tender area of infection

thick yellow to honey-colored crusts

tightness in the chest

troubled sleeping

Incidence not known

Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Difficulty with moving

lack or loss of strength

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pain or stiffness

weight loss

Less common

Back pain

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

burning, dry, or itching eyes

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

discharge or excessive tearing

dizziness or lightheadedness

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

hearing loss

hives or welts

redness of the skin

redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

sensation of spinning

shakiness and unsteady walk

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

uncontrolled eye movements

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

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Pros

Only 3 days of treatment

Can be used in children 2 months or older who weigh at least 5 kg (11 pounds)

Effective in areas where there is resistance to chloroquine, another antimalarial medication

thumbs-down

Cons

Many interactions with heart medications and heart conditions

Available as a brand only, so it might be expensive

Even though it only used for 3 days, you'll take a lot of pills at one time (i.e., 24 tablets over 3 days in adults)

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

pharmacist

  • Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) should be taken with food for full effects.

    • Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) might lower the effect of hormonal birth control. You should use an additional form birth control, like condoms, while taking this medication.

      • For infants and children unable to swallow tablets, Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) tablets can be crushed and mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons of water, followed by food, milk, or formula.

        • Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine).

          • If you throw up 1 to 2 hours after taking Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine), you need to retake the dose.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

            Can I use Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) to prevent malaria?
            No, Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) is only approved for the treatment of malaria.
            Can I crush the tablets of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)?
            Yes, Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) can be crushed and mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons of water and taken immediately after mixing.
            Does Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) interfere with my birth control?
            Using Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) can make your hormonal birth control less effective. It is important to add a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms, during sexual intercourse while taking Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine).
            What happens if I vomit the dose of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) after taking it?
            If you vomit within 1 to 2 hours after taking your dose of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine), you should take a repeat dose and let your healthcare provider know. If you vomit the repeated dose of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine), your healthcare provider will have to give you a different antimalarial medication.
            Can I use Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) during pregnancy?
            There have been some studies which observed pregnant women in all 3 trimesters of pregnancy which did not have an increased risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or bad outcomes for the mother or unborn baby. Having malaria during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, and several other problems with the unborn child. If you are pregnant, your healthcare provider will discuss the risks versus the benefits of using this medication. There are also some other options for treating malaria during pregnancy.
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            What are the risks and warnings for Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)?

            Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Heart problems

            • Risk factors: Family history of QT prolongation | Other medications that cause QT prolongation | Using together with certain medications (some antibiotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics) | Hypokalemia (low potassium) | Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium)

              Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) should be avoided in people with heart arrhythmias, electrolyte imbalances, or those who are taking certain medications (like antibiotics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics). If you have a history of heart problems, be sure your healthcare provider knows what heart medications you are taking.

              risk-warning

              Use with other antimalarials

              Tell your healthcare provider if you have taken other medications for malaria in the past month. Taking Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) with other antimalarials can be dangerous for your heart.

              risk-warning

              Recurrence of malarial infection

              Although Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) can greatly lower your appetite, it should be taken with food. Food helps Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) absorb into the body and lowers the risk of malaria coming back.

              dosage

              Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) dosage forms

              The average cost for 24 tablets of 20mg/120mg of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) is $142.17 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 17.99% off the average retail price of $173.35.
              tablet
              Tablet
              DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
              20mg/120mg24 tablets$142.17$5.92

              Typical dosing for Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)

              The typical dose of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) for people who weigh at least 35 kg (77 pounds) is 4 tablets of artemether 20 mg/lumefantrine 120 mg by mouth with food for each dose. The medication is dosed twice per day for 3 days for a total of 6 doses.

              After the first dose of 4 tablets, the second dose of 4 tablets is taken 8 hours later. Then the next two days, you take 4 tablets by mouth in the morning with breakfast and 4 tablets by mouth in the evening with dinner.

              interactions

              Interactions between Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) and other drugs

              Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

              Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

              drug-cost

              How much does Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) cost?

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              Coartem (brand)
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              $142.17

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              alternatives

              What are alternatives to Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)?

              There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
              Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine)
              Used for:

              • Treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in people 2 months of age or older who weigh at least 5 kg (11 pounds)

              $142.17 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Malarone (atovaquone / proguanil)
              Used for:

              • Prevention and treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum species

              $52.10 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
              Chloroquine
              Used for:

              • Treatment of uncomplicated malaria

              • Prevention of malaria in areas of the world where there's no Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) resistance

              • Extraintestinal amebiasis (a type of parasitic infection)

              $55.02 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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