Artemether 20 mg and Lumefantrine 120 mg Dispersible tablets
- Product Name: Artemether 20 mg and Lumefantrine 120 mg Dispersible tablets
- Packing: 10x1x6 Alu-Alu Blister
- Pack Insert/Leaflet: Yes
- Formulation: Fixed-dose combination antimalarial, dispersible tablet
- Packaging: Commonly supplied in blister packs of 12 tablets (multiple blister packs per carton)
- Self Life Storage: Shelf life ~24 months; store below 30 °C, protected from moisture and light
- Therapeutic Category: Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) for uncomplicated malaria
This dispersible formulation is designed especially for infants and young children who cannot swallow conventional tablets. Each tablet quickly disperses in water for easy administration. It combines artemether, a fast-acting artemisinin derivative, with lumefantrine, a longer-acting partner drug, to deliver both rapid parasite clearance and prevention of recrudescence.
Active Ingredients:
Artemether – rapid parasite killing; metabolized to dihydroartemisinin (DHA)
Lumefantrine – long half-life, sustains activity and prevents recurrence
Mechanism of Action:
Artemether generates reactive free radicals in the parasite vacuole, damaging parasite proteins.
Lumefantrine interferes with heme polymerization, disrupting parasite survival.
Together, they offer fast onset with durable protection.
Artemether – rapid parasite killing; metabolized to dihydroartemisinin (DHA)
Lumefantrine – long half-life, sustains activity and prevents recurrence
Mechanism of Action:
Artemether generates reactive free radicals in the parasite vacuole, damaging parasite proteins.
Lumefantrine interferes with heme polymerization, disrupting parasite survival.
Together, they offer fast onset with durable protection.
Treatment of acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria
Particularly suited for children (from about 5 kg body weight up to ~35 kg)
Particularly suited for children (from about 5 kg body weight up to ~35 kg)
Regimen: Six-dose schedule over three days (total therapy duration 60 hours)
Administration:
Disperse each tablet in ~10 mL of clean water, stir, and administer immediately
Rinse cup and give residue to ensure full dose
Give with small amounts of fatty food (milk, porridge) to enhance lumefantrine absorption
Typical Dosing (weight-based examples):
Children 5 – <15 kg: 1 tablet per dose × 6 doses
Children 15 – <25 kg: 2 tablets per dose × 6 doses
Administration:
Disperse each tablet in ~10 mL of clean water, stir, and administer immediately
Rinse cup and give residue to ensure full dose
Give with small amounts of fatty food (milk, porridge) to enhance lumefantrine absorption
Typical Dosing (weight-based examples):
Children 5 – <15 kg: 1 tablet per dose × 6 doses
Children 15 – <25 kg: 2 tablets per dose × 6 doses
May cause QT interval prolongation; avoid use with other QT-prolonging medicines
Avoid grapefruit products and certain CYP3A4 interacting drugs
Use caution in patients with severe hepatic disease
Women using hormonal contraceptives should employ additional contraception during treatment
Avoid grapefruit products and certain CYP3A4 interacting drugs
Use caution in patients with severe hepatic disease
Women using hormonal contraceptives should employ additional contraception during treatment
Common: Headache, dizziness, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort
In children: Irritability, tiredness, rash, itching, decreased appetite
Serious (rare): Allergic reactions, significant QT prolongation or arrhythmia, hemolysis in predisposed patients
In children: Irritability, tiredness, rash, itching, decreased appetite
Serious (rare): Allergic reactions, significant QT prolongation or arrhythmia, hemolysis in predisposed patients
Coartem Dispersible
WHO-recommended ACT for pediatric uncomplicated malaria
Child-friendly formulation: simple dispersible tablets for accurate dosing
Provides high cure rates (>95%) with good safety profile
Essential medicine for malaria control programs, particularly in endemic countries
High efficacy: PCR-corrected 28-day cure rates range from 94–98%, and 42-day cure rates around 96% mmv.org.
WHO-listed essential medicine and widely incorporated in pediatric malaria control programs.
Child-friendly formulation: simple dispersible tablets for accurate dosing
Provides high cure rates (>95%) with good safety profile
Essential medicine for malaria control programs, particularly in endemic countries
High efficacy: PCR-corrected 28-day cure rates range from 94–98%, and 42-day cure rates around 96% mmv.org.
WHO-listed essential medicine and widely incorporated in pediatric malaria control programs.