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.
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.
| Common Brands | Coartem |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antimalarial |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
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
fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
headache
muscle aches
pale skin
right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
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
cloudy urine
convulsions
cough producing mucus
decreased urine
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with swallowing
dizziness
ear congestion
ear drainage
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
increased thirst
indigestion
joint pain
loss of appetite
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
mood changes
muscle pain or cramps
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20mg/120mg | 24 tablets | $138.33 | $5.76 |
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.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
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No, Coartem is only approved for the treatment of malaria.
Yes, Coartem can be crushed and mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons of water and taken immediately after mixing.
Using Coartem 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.
If you vomit within 1 to 2 hours after taking your dose of Coartem, you should take a repeat dose and let your healthcare provider know. If you vomit the repeated dose of Coartem, your healthcare provider will have to give you a different antimalarial medication.
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.
