Artemether and Lumefantrine combination is a fixed dose artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) combining artemether, an artemisinin derivative and lumefantrine, a synthetic antimalarial drug.
Artemether is absorbed with peak plasma concentrations reached about 2 hours after dosing. Absorption of lumefantrine, a highly lipophilic compound, starts after a lag-lime of up to 2 hours, with peak plasma concentrations about 6 to 8 hours after administration.
Artemether and lumefantrine are both highly bound to human serum proteins in vitro (95.4% and 99.7%, respectively).
Artemether are cleared from plasma with an elimination half-life of about 2 hours. Lumefantrine is eliminated more slowly, with a terminal half-life of 3-6 days.
No specific pharmacokinetic studies have been performed in patients older than 65 years of age.
INDICATIONS
Effective against malaria caused by P. falciparum
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
• Hypersensitivity to any of the Ingredients
• Patients who are taking any drug which is metabolised by the cytochrome enzyme CYP2D6 (e.g. flecainide, metoprolol, imipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine).
• Patients with disturbances of electrolyte balance e.g hypokalemia.
PRECAUTIONS/WARNINGS
• It must not be used in first Trimester of Pregnancy.
• It has not been evaluated for treatment of severe malaria
• It is not indicated for, and has not been evaluated in the treatment of malaria due to P. vivax, P.malariae, P.ovale.
INTERACTIONS
It has the interactions with other antimalerials, CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, Protease Inhibitor and anti retroviral Drugs.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
Pregnancy
There is insufficient data from the use of artemether and lumefantrine in pregnant women. Based on animal data, it is suspected to cause serious birth defects when administered during the first trimester of pregnancy. During the second’ and third trimester, treatment should only be considered if the expected benefit to the· mother outweighs the risk to the foetus.
Lactation
Animal data suggest excretion into breast milk but no data are available in humans. Women taking the product should not breast-feed during their treatment. Due to the long elimination half-life of lumefantrine (4 to 6 days), it is recommended that breastfeeding should not resume until at least one week after the last dose unless potential benefits to the mother and child outweigh the risks of treatment.
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION
Dosage in Adult Patients (>16 years of age)
A 3-day treatment schedule with a total of 6 doses is recommended for adult patients with a bodyweight of 35 kg and above:
Four capsules as a single initial dose, 4 capsules again after 8 hours and then 4 capsules twice daily (morning arid evening) for the following two days (total course of 24 capsules).
Dosage in Pediatric Patients
A 3-day treatment schedule with a total of 6 doses as recommended as below:
15 kg to less than 25 kg bodyweight : Two capsules as an initial dose, 2 capsules again after 8 hours and then 2 capsules twice daily (morning and evening) for the following two days (total course of 12 capsules).
25 kg to less than 35 kg bodyweight : Three capsules as an initial dose, 3 capsules again after 8 hours and then 3 capsules twice daily (morning and evening) for the following two days (total course of 18 capsules).
35 kg bodyweight and above: Four capsules as an initial dose, 4 capsules again after 8 hours and then 4 capsules twice daily (morning and evening) for the following two days (total course of 24 capsules}.
Warning: This medicine is for only those Children/Patients that can swallow the soft gelatin capsules.
OVERDOSE
In case of suspected Overdosage symptomatic and supportive Therapy should be given as appropriate which including ECG and blood potassium monitoring
STORAGE/HANDLING RECOMMENDATIONS
Store below 25°C in cool & dry place.
MANUFACTURER
Olive HEALTHCARE 197/2, Athiyawad, Dabhel Village. DAMAN – 396210 (U.T). India.
URL: www.olivehearthcare.co.in Email: export depertment@olivehearthcare.co.in
