Key facts about Coartem
What is Coartem?
Coartem is the brand name for artemether/lumefantrine and is available as an oral tablet.
What dosages is Coartem available in?
Coartem is available as an oral tablet that contains 20 mg artemether and 120 mg lumefantrine.
What is Coartem used for?
Coartem is an antimalarial and is used to treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in people 2 months of age or older who weigh at least 5 kg (11 pounds).
How does Coartem work?
Coartem 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.
How do I take Coartem?
The typical dose of Coartem 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.
Is it safe for me to take Coartem?
Coartem is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication in the following:
Known hypersensitivity to artemether, lumefantrine, or to any of the excipients.
Coadministration of strong inducers of CYP3A4 such as rifampin, carbamazepine,
phenytoin, and St. John’s wort with Coartem.
Coartem Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Coartem:
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Lack of energy
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
Coartem Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with Coartem. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Allergic reaction
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on Coartem
The following medications may interact with Coartem:
- CYP3A4 Inducers: Potential for loss of antimalarial efficacy.
- CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Use cautiously due to potential for QT prolongation.
- Antiretrovirals: Use cautiously due to potential for QT prolongation, loss of
- antiviral efficacy, or loss of antimalarial efficacy of Coartem.
- Mefloquine: If used immediately before treatment, monitor for decreased efficacy
- of Coartem and encourage food consumption.
- Hormonal Contraceptives: Effectiveness may be reduced; use an additional
- method of birth control.
- CYP2D6 Substrates: Monitor for adverse reactions and potential QT prolongation.
Who makes Coartem?
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Is Coartem safe in pregnancy?
Coartem may affect how well hormonal
contraceptives work and may cause them to not work as well. Females who are able to become pregnant should
use another effective non-hormonal form of birth control or an additional barrier method of birth control (such
as male condoms) during treatment with Coartem. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions
about birth control methods that may be right for you during this time.
