Artemether/lumefantrine
| Combination of | |
|---|---|
| Artemether | Antimalarial |
| Lumefantrine | Antimalarial |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Coartem, Riamet, Falcynate-LF |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a609024 |
| Pregnancy category |
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| Routes of administration | By mouth |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
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Artemether/lumefantrine, sold under the trade name Coartem among others, is a combination of the two medications artemether and lumefantrine.[1] It is used to treat malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum that is not treatable with chloroquine.[1] It is not typically used to prevent malaria.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1]
Common side effects include muscle and joint pains, fever, loss of appetite, and headache.[1] Serious side effects include prolongation of the QT interval.[1] While not well studied, it appears to be safe for use in pregnancy.[1] The dose does not need changing in those with mild or moderate kidney or liver problems.[1]
This combination came into medical use in 1992[2] and was developed in China.[2][3] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[4] It is not available as a generic medication.[5]
In July 2025 that Swiss regulator Swissmedic have approved artemether-lumefantrine, the first malaria treatment specifically designed for infants and very young children.[6] The medication is expected to gain rapid regulatory clearance in eight African nations participating in its review.[7] Originally introduced in 1999 for broader malaria treatment, Coartem is now approved in a lower-dose formulation tailored for babies weighing under 4.5 kilograms.[8] The new version dissolves easily—even in breast milk—and features a cherry flavor to improve ease of use for caregivers.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Artemether and Lumefantrine". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved Dec 2, 2015.
- ^ a b Ravina, Enrique (2011). The evolution of drug discovery : from traditional medicines to modern drugs (1. Aufl. ed.). Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. p. 139. ISBN 9783527326693. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08.
- ^ Nightingale, Charles H. (2007). Antimicrobial pharmacodynamics in theory and clinical practice (2nd ed.). New York: Informa Healthcare. p. 380. ISBN 9781420017137. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08.
- ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
- ^ Hamilton, Richart (2015). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2015 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 45. ISBN 9781284057560.
- ^ "Novartis wins approval for first malaria drug for newborns and babies". Reuters. 2025-07-08. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ Vinluan, Frank (2025-07-08). "Novartis Drug Becomes First Malaria Therapy for Newborns and Infants". MedCity News. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ Dunleavy, Kevin (2025-07-08). "Novartis' malaria drug for babies wins world-first approval | Fierce Pharma". www.fiercepharma.com. Retrieved 2025-07-09.