Artemether is an antimalarial agent for the treatment of uncomplicated acute malaria. For enhanced efficacy, it is often combined with lumefantrine. Artemether and lumefantrine tablet uses include treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, especially strains resistant to chloroquine and other standard therapies.
What are the Uses of Artemether?
Artemether is an antimalarial medicine widely used to treat malaria, particularly uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections. It is effective in rapidly reducing the number of malaria parasites in the blood and is commonly used in combination with other antimalarial drugs like lumefantrine for better efficacy.
Conditions Artemether Treats
Acute uncomplicated malaria
Plasmodium falciparum infections (often resistant to other drugs)
Mixed infections involving
Secondary Benefits of Artemether
May be used in combination therapy with other antimalarials when first-line treatments fail
Occasionally used in clinical settings for recurrent malaria episodes under medical supervision
How Does Artemether Work?
Artemether works by generating free radicals inside the malaria parasite. These radicals damage vital proteins and membranes in the parasite, leading to its death. It specifically targets the parasite during its blood stage and rapidly reduces the parasite load.
There's no hormonal or nervous system interaction involved; it directly acts on the malaria-causing organisms within red blood cells.
Artemether Dosage
What Happens If an Overdose?
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Artemether tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body's functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Symptoms of Overdose
Dizziness or fainting
Irregular heartbeat
Seizures
Nausea and vomiting
Confusion or loss of consciousness (in severe cases)
Consult your healthcare provider before taking medication. Immediate medical attention is required if an overdose is suspected.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
Missing one or two-doses of Artemether won't show any effect on the body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won't work if you don't take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Artemether Injectable Forms
Artemether injectable 80mg dose and artemether injectable 40mg are available for intramuscular administration, often used in severe or emergency malaria cases where oral intake is not possible. The dosage and frequency depend on the severity of the condition and body weight.
Pediatric Dosage
The combination dose for a child is carefully calculated based on weight (usually >5 kg) and must be administered strictly under a doctor's supervision. The artemether-lumefantrine combination is available in dispersible tablets for children for easy intake.
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When used in combination, side effects of combination drugs like artemether and lumefantrine may include:
Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
QT prolongation (abnormal heart rhythm)
Drowsiness
Skin rash or itching
Abdominal pain
Most side effects are mild and manageable, but serious symptoms should be reported to a doctor immediately.
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact the doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Artemether if you get any kind of reactions in the body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing the problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don't show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Artemether side effects.
Artemether Precautions and Warnings
Before taking Artemether talk with the doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious problems. Before using Artemether talk with the doctor if you are having any medical history such as:
Artemether can cause severe conditions which can affect the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation will rarely cause some serious and irregular heartbeat and other symptoms which needs medical attention.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Artemether?
Artemether can be used in children above 5 kg of body weight and in adults, but dosage must be carefully calculated. Pediatric formulations are available and should be administered under a doctor's supervision.
Alcohol or Food Interactions
Take Artemether with fatty foods or milk to improve absorption
Avoid alcohol during treatment as it may worsen side effects or reduce medicine effectiveness
How to Take Artemether?
Take this medicine orally, with food, just as your doctor has prescribed it. Usually, this drug is taken twice a day for 3 days with a meal (6 doses), or as instructed by your doctor. Take the first artemether dose of food on the first day of therapy, followed 8 hours later by your second dose.
Then you can take one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening per day for the next 2 days. With food or milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth, it is necessary to take every dose of this drug.
Food helps function well with this drug. If you are not able to eat, tell your doctor. With food or milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth, it is necessary to take every dose of this drug. Food helps function well with this drug. If you are not able to eat, tell your doctor.
Possible Interactions with Other Medications
Drug interactions can affect the working of the drugs or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all potential drug interactions are included in this paper. Keep a list and share it with the doctor and pharmacist of all the medications you use (including prescription/nonprescription medicines and herbal products). Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drug without being treated by the doctor.
Before the treatment with artemether/lumefantrine, be sure to tell your doctor about any drugs you take for malaria. Within one month of treatment with artemether/lumefantrine, certain antimalarial medications (such as halofantrine) should not be used. A severe (possibly fatal) association with drugs can occur in some cases.
Artemether Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children's reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Artemether consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get anyside effects after taking Artemether rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Artemether.
What Happens If Artemether Is Not Stored Properly?
Improper storage can reduce the potency of the medicine, making it less effective against malaria. Exposure to heat or moisture may cause the medication to degrade.
What Special Dietary Instructions Should I Follow?
Take With Food: It works better when taken with food, especially a meal rich in fat.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration due to fever.
Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol can increase side effects like nausea and dizziness.
Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, and proteins to aid recovery.
Avoid Grapefruit: Grapefruit and its juice can interfere with the medicine, so it's best to avoid them.
Artemether vs Artesunate
Artemether
Artesunate
Artemether is an antimalarial agent for the treatment of uncomplicated acute malaria. For enhanced efficacy, it is given in combination with lumefantrin.
Artesunate is indicated for the initial treatment of moderate malaria. Artesunate is recommended by the World Health Organization for first-line treatment of severe malaria.
This medicine is used to treat adults and kids with malaria. In this prescription, the two ingredients belong to a class of drugs known as antimalarials.
Artesunate is used for the treatment of malaria.
Some of the common side effects of Artemether are:
Lumefantrine, a broad-spectrum antibiotic that stays for about seven days in the body. Coartem, the more lethal type is the most successful treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Artemether is a rather effective, yet quick-clearing drug, which is why both it and lumefantrine are taken.
For the treatment of serious malarial patients, intravenous (iv) or intramuscular (im) artesunate, a water-soluble artemisinin analogue, and im artemether are increasingly used. There is no IV preparation of artemether unlike artesunate, as artemether is insoluble in water and needs to be dissolved in edible oils.
Artemether is delivered by intramuscular injection into the anterior thigh, diluted in oil (groundnut, sesame seed). Therapeutic dosage: Artemether's initial dose is 3.2 mg/kg BW intramuscularly (to the anterior thigh). The intramuscular maintenance dosage is 1.6 mg/kg BW daily.
Arte plus CD 80 is a specific formulation of Artemether 20mg and Lumefantrine 120mg in a single tablet, designed for convenient dosing in malaria treatment.
The recommended adult dosage for Artemether 20mg Lumefantrine 120mg (Arte plus CD 80) typically involves taking four tablets as a single initial dose, followed by another four tablets after 8 hours, and then four tablets twice daily for the next 2 days.
Artemether & Lumefantrine can be prescribed for children under specific weight-based dosing guidelines. Consult a healthcare provider for pediatric dosing recommendations.
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. However, it should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or consultation. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The absence of specific warnings does not mean a medicine is safe for all users. We are not responsible for any outcomes based on this information and strongly recommend consulting a doctor for any medical concerns or questions.
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