Key takeaways
Coartem (artemether/lumefantrine) and Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) are both antimalarial medications, but they have some key differences. Coartem is only available as a brand name and is used solely for treating malaria, while Malarone is available in both brand and generic forms and can be used for both prevention and treatment of malaria. Coartem requires a more complex dosing schedule, with multiple doses taken over three days, whereas Malarone is taken once daily. Coartem must be taken with food to be effective and has many interactions with heart medications, making it less suitable for people with heart conditions. On the other hand, Malarone is not recommended for people with severe kidney or liver problems and is taken with food or a milk-based drink. Coartem can be used in children as young as 2 months old, while Malarone is suitable for children based on weight. Both medications can cause side effects like headache and dizziness, but Coartem has a higher incidence of these side effects.
