Generic Name: ARTEMETHER/LUMEFANTRINE - ORAL
Pronounced: (ar-TEM-e-ther/LOO-me-FAN-treen)

Coartem Oral Uses

This medication is used to treat malaria in adults and children. The two ingredients in this medication belong to a class of drugs known as antimalarials. Malaria is an infection caused by mosquito bites received while traveling or living in regions of the world where malaria is common. Malaria parasites enter the body, and live in body tissues such as red blood cells or the liver. This medication is used to kill the malaria parasites living inside red blood cells. In some cases, you may need to take a different medication (such as primaquine) to kill the malaria parasites living in the liver. Both treatments may be needed for a complete cure and to avoid the return of infection (relapse). This product is not used to prevent malaria.

The United States Centers for Disease Control provide updated guidelines and travel recommendations for the prevention and treatment of malaria in different parts of the world. Discuss the most recent information with your doctor before starting treatment with this medication.

How To Use Coartem Oral

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, with food, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This medication is usually taken twice a day with a meal for 3 days (6 doses) or as directed by your doctor. On your first day of treatment, take your first dose with food, followed by your second dose 8 hours later. Then each day for the next 2 days, take one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening.

It is important to take every dose of this medication with food or milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth. Food helps this medication work better. Tell your doctor if you are unable to eat.

Dosage (number of tablets per dose) is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment.

It is very important to continue taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed. Do not skip any doses. Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few doses. Skipping doses or stopping the medication too early may make the infection more difficult to treat and result in a return of the infection.

This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

If you or your child cannot swallow tablets, the artemether/lumefantrine tablets may be crushed and mixed with one or two teaspoons (5 to 10 milliliters) of water in a clean container at the time your dose is due. Do not crush tablets or mix with water in advance. Follow the dose of medication with food or drink (such as whole milk, formula, pudding, broth, or porridge).

---