COARTEM

This medication is prescribed for the treatment of malaria in both adults and children. It contains two active ingredients that are classified as antimalarials. Malaria is an infection that is contracted through mosquito bites while residing or traveling in areas where malaria is prevalent.

Artemether is rapidly absorbed, reaching its highest levels in the body around two hours after taking it. This leads to a quick decrease in the amount of parasites in the body and a fast relief of symptoms.

Krintafel (tafenoquine), a newly developed medication, effectively prevents the recurrence of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax), a parasite responsible for the disease. Unlike the current treatment, which requires a 10-day regimen that many patients fail to complete, Krintafel offers a more convenient and reliable solution.

Artemether/lumefantrine, a fixed-dose combination of artemether and lumefantrine, has been prequalified by the WHO for efficacy, safety, and quality. It was approved by Swissmedic in December 2008 and has recently received approval from the USA FDA.

Chloroquine phosphate is the recommended treatment for parasites that are susceptible to the drug. Additionally, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are a combination of multiple drugs that target the malaria parasite using various mechanisms.

The CDC now advises the use of artemether-lumefantrine (Coartem®) during all trimesters of pregnancy as a treatment for uncomplicated malaria. It can also be used as a temporary treatment for severe malaria before intravenous artesunate. This update brings the CDC’s recommendations in line with the current WHO guidelines for malaria treatment during pregnancy.

Management: Patients who are undergoing artemether-lumefantrine treatment should refrain from consuming grapefruits and grapefruit juice. It is recommended to take artemether-lumefantrine with food in order to achieve maximum oral absorption. Insufficient food intake can elevate the chances of malaria recurrence.

The standard regimen for AL (Coartem®) involves taking one tablet twice a day for three days, resulting in a total of six doses. Each tablet contains 20 mg of artemether and 120 mg of lumefantrine. This regimen ensures that at least two asexual parasite life cycles are covered by artemether and maximizes the exposure to lumefantrine to prevent the recurrence of the infection.

Symptoms may include abdominal pain, chills, cough, rapid or irregular heartbeat, fever, headache, muscle aches, and pale skin.

Take four tablets as an initial dose, followed by another four tablets after 8 hours. Then, continue taking four tablets twice daily (once in the morning and once in the evening) for the next two days. This will complete the total course of 24 tablets.

According to the per protocol analysis, the cure rates for malaria infected patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine (ALU), artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ), and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHP) were 89%, 94%, and 91% respectively.

If you have an allergy to artemether or lumefantrine, it is not recommended to use Coartem. Additionally, there are certain medications that can interact with artemether and lumefantrine, so they should not be taken simultaneously.

02/5 Stay hydrated by including coconut water, lemon water, and water-rich fruits such as cucumber and oranges. Hydrating yourself helps eliminate toxins from your body and promotes faster recovery. Additionally, malaria patients often experience a decrease in appetite.

Avoid consuming fried foods, processed foods, junk foods, oily and spicy foods, pickles, etc. Instead, focus on incorporating high fibre foods into your diet such as whole grain cereals, green leafy vegetables, and thick-skinned fruits. Additionally, try to limit your intake of tea, coffee, cocoa, and other caffeinated beverages.

Based on our in vitro findings, it appears that combining vitamin C with artemether/lumefantrine could potentially raise the likelihood of haemolysis and potential anaemia in malaria patients.

Over-treatment is prevalent in Africa due to the high number of malaria cases in the region, accounting for approximately 88% of global cases. This occurs when individuals without malaria, but exhibiting symptoms similar to the disease such as fever, are unnecessarily administered antimalarial drugs.

For adult patients weighing 35 kg and above, it is recommended to take a total of 6 doses over a 3-day period. The initial dose is 4 tablets, followed by another 4 tablets after 8 hours, and then 4 tablets twice daily (morning and evening) for the next 2 days, totaling 24 tablets for the entire course.

To ensure proper absorption, it is recommended to take this medication with food or beverages such as milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth. If you or your child have difficulty swallowing the tablet, it can be crushed and mixed with one or two teaspoons of water in a clean container.

If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, it is important to contact your doctor. Additionally, if you experience a fever, chills, muscle pain, or headache shortly after completing your treatment, it could indicate that you are still infected with malaria. Therefore, it is crucial to inform your doctor in such cases.

The side effects most frequently reported with mefloquine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia, and vivid dreams. These side effects are typically mild and do not typically lead to discontinuation of the medication.

Artemether/lumefantrine, also known as Coartem, is a medication that combines artemether and lumefantrine. It is prescribed for the treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, particularly when chloroquine is ineffective. It is not commonly used for malaria prevention.

Quinine, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, has been utilized for the treatment of malaria since the 1600s. It was initially known as the “Jesuits’ bark,” “cardinal’s bark,” or “sacred bark” due to its usage by Jesuit missionaries in South America in 1630. However, there is a legend surrounding its origins.

Currently, there are three recommended treatments for severe and complicated malaria: artesunate (AS), artemether (AM), and quinine (or quinidine). However, it is important to note that in many countries, only quinine is accessible.

The artemether component of Coartem (artemether/lumefantrine, AL) is derived from artemisinin, which is obtained from the plant sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua). This plant has been used for over 2,000 years as a Chinese herbal remedy.

Dosage and Administration of Coartem: If vomiting occurs within 1-2 hours of administration, repeat the dose. If the repeat dose is also vomited, alternative treatment should be given. For patients over 16 years old and weighing at least 35kg, the recommended dosage is 4 tablets as a single initial dose, followed by another 4 tablets after 8 hours. This should be followed by 4 tablets twice daily (in the morning and evening) for the next two days, resulting in a total course of 24 tablets.

24 Coartem oral tablets (20 mg-120 mg) will cost around $150, depending on the pharmacy you visit.