Artemether/lumefantrine (By mouth)

Introduction

Artemether (ar-TEM-e-ther), Lumefantrine (loo-me-FAN-treen)

Treats malaria.

Brand Name(s)

Coartem

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using cisapride (Propulsid®), medicine to treat mental illness (such as pimozide, ziprasidone, Geodon®, Orap®), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as amiodarone, disopyramide, flecainide, procainamide, sotalol, Betapace®, Cordarone®, Norpace®, Procanbid®, Tambocor®), medicine to treat allergy (astemizole, terfenadine, Hismanal®, Seldane®), medicine to treat depression (amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, Anafranil®, Elavil®, Tofranil®), medicine to treat a fungal infection (such as clotrimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®), medicine to treat an infection (such as ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, Biaxin®, Ciloxan®, Cipro®, Ery-tab®, Levaquin®, Tequin®), medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as indinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir, Crixivan®, Fortovase®, Invirase®, Norvir®, Viramune®), or birth control pills or patches.
• Tell your doctor if you have used other medicines to treat your malaria infection (such as halofantrine, mefloquine, quinine, quinidine, Cardioquin®, Halfan®, Lariam®, Quinaglute®, or Quinidex®).
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a recent heart attack, severe heart disease, slow heartbeat, a history of heart rhythm problems (such as prolonged QT interval, congenital long QT interval), or a low potassium or magnesium in the blood. Tell your doctor also if you have difficulty or problems with eating.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have flu-like symptoms (such as chills, fever, headache, or muscle pains) again after treatment with this medicine.
• Birth control pills or patches may not work while you are using this medicine. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control along with your birth control pills or patches. Other forms include condoms, a diaphragm, or a contraceptive foam or jelly.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting.
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat or pulse.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, loss of appetite, or stomach pain.
• Headache.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Rash.
• Stuffy or runny nose.
• Tiredness or weakness.
• Trouble with sleeping.

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine is only used in patients who weigh at least 11 lbs (5 kg).
• This medicine should be taken with food or drinks such as milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth.
• If you or your child are unable to swallow the tablets, it may be crushed and mixed with one or two teaspoons of water in a clean container.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. If you or your child vomit within 1 to 2 hours of taking this medicine, take another dose. If you vomit the second dose, tell your doctor right away. You may need to use a different medicine to treat your condition.