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Artemisinin-Based Combination Antimalarial (ACT)

Artemether with Lumefantrine

Brand names: Riamet, Coartem

Artemether with lumefantrine is a fixed-dose artemisinin-based combination therapy used to treat acute uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

Artemether produces reactive intermediates that rapidly kill blood-stage parasites, while lumefantrine provides slower, longer-lasting parasite clearance, reducing recrudescence.

Prescribing in practice

  • It is indicated for uncomplicated malaria only; severe or complicated malaria requires parenteral therapy such as artesunate.
  • It can prolong the QT interval, so caution is needed in patients with cardiac risk factors or other QT-prolonging drugs.
  • Absorption is improved by taking it with food or a fat-containing drink, and exposure may be altered by CYP-interacting drugs.

Monitoring

Monitor parasitaemia and clinical response, and consider ECG monitoring where there are risk factors for QT prolongation.

Counselling the patient

  • Take each dose with a fatty meal or drink to help absorption.
  • If you vomit shortly after a dose, contact your team as a repeat dose may be needed.
  • Complete the full course and report any palpitations or worsening symptoms.

Evidence & guidelines

Artemisinin-based combination therapy is the World Health Organization-recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria.

Reference: PHE/UKHSA Guidelines for Malaria Prevention and Treatment (2022); WHO Guidelines for Treatment of Malaria (3rd edition, 2015 updated); NICE CKS Malaria (2023); Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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