Drug reference

Artemether with lumefantrine

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 672

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Treatment of acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria | Treatment of chloroquine-resistant non-falciparum malaria ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult (body-weight 35 kg and above): Initially 4 tablets, followed by 4 tablets for 5 doses each given at 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours (total 24 tablets over 60 hours) l UNLICENSED USE Use in treatment of non-falciparum malaria is an unlicensed indication.

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Contra Indications

Family history of congenital QT interval prolongation. family history of sudden death. history of arrhythmias. history of clinically relevant bradycardia. history of congestive heart failure accompanied by reduced left ventricular ejection fraction

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Cautions

Avoid in Acute porphyrias p. 1120. electrolyte disturbances

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Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: antimalarials

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Side Effects

▶Common or very common Abdominal pain. appetite decreased. arthralgia. asthenia. cough. diarrhoea. dizziness. gait abnormal. headache. movement disorders. myalgia. nausea. palpitations. QT interval prolongation. sensation abnormal. skin reactions. sleep disorders. vomiting ▶Uncommon Drowsiness ▶Frequency not known Angioedema

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Pregnancy

Toxicity in animal studies with artemether. Manufacturer advises use only if potential beneﬁt outweighs risk.

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Breast Feeding

Manufacturer advises avoid breastfeeding for at least 1 week after last dose. Present in milk in animal studies.

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Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in severe impairment (no information available)—monitor ECG and plasma potassium concentration.

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Renal Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in severe impairment. Monitoring In severe renal impairment monitor ECG and plasma potassium concentration.

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Monitoring Requirements

Monitor patients unable to take food (greater risk of recrudescence).

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Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

Tablets may be crushed just before administration.

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Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Tablet CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 21 ▶Riamet (Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd) Artemether 20 mg, Lumefantrine 120 mg Riamet tablets | 24 tablet P £22.50

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Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Driving and skilled tasks Dizziness may affect performance of skilled tasks (e.g. driving).

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Dose text by age group

Adult (body-weight 35 kg and above)

Initially 4 tablets,

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 672

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Artemether with lumefantrine

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 672

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF page 672

Contra Indications

PDF page 672

Cautions

Avoid in Acute porphyrias p. 1120. electrolyte disturbances

PDF page 672

Safety

Interactions

→Appendix 1: antimalarials

PDF page 672

Side Effects

PDF page 672

Pregnancy

Toxicity in animal studies with artemether. Manufacturer advises use only if potential beneﬁt outweighs risk.

PDF page 672

Breast Feeding

Manufacturer advises avoid breastfeeding for at least 1 week after last dose. Present in milk in animal studies.

PDF page 672

Hepatic Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in severe impairment (no information available)—monitor ECG and plasma potassium concentration.

PDF page 672

Renal Impairment

Manufacturer advises caution in severe impairment. Monitoring In severe renal impairment monitor ECG and plasma potassium concentration.

PDF page 672

Monitoring Requirements

Monitor patients unable to take food (greater risk of recrudescence).

PDF page 672

Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

Tablets may be crushed just before administration.

PDF page 672

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 672

Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Driving and skilled tasks Dizziness may affect performance of skilled tasks (e.g. driving).

PDF page 672

Dose text by age group

Adult (body-weight 35 kg and above)

Initially 4 tablets,

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 672

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.