Artemet

Introduction
Artemet is a combination medicine that is prescribed to treat malaria. It fights against the infection by preventing the growth of the parasites inside the body. Artemet is a prescription medicine. It is to be taken with food and take it at a fixed time regularly. Take the medicine in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not consume more than the recommended dose, as this may have harmful effects on your body. A missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember. The course of the treatment should be completed for better efficacy. Some common side effects of this medicine are headaches, loss of appetite, weakness, pain in muscles, and joint pain. You may also feel dizzy, thus it is advised not to drive or operate machinery. To overcome dizziness you should drink plenty of fluid. If any of the side effects get aggravated, contact your doctor immediately. Before taking this medicine, you should tell your doctor if you are taking any medication for any health conditions. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult with their doctor before taking it. Avoid drinking alcohol as it can cause excessive drowsiness with this medicine.

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Uses of Artemet
Malaria
Side effects of Artemet
Common
Headache
Loss of appetite
Dizziness
Weakness
Joint pain
Muscle pain
How to use Artemet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Artemet is to be taken with food.
How Artemet works
Artemet is a combination of two antiparasitic medicines: Artemether and Lumefantrine, which treats malaria. These medicines work by increasing the levels of haeme in the blood, a substance toxic to the malarial parasite. This kills the parasite and stops the infection from spreading.
Quick Tips
You have been prescribed Artemet for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria that is resistant to other antimalarial medications such as chloroquine.
Tips to reduce the chance of being bitten by mosquitoes:
Finish the prescribed course, even if you start to feel better. Stopping it early may make the infection come back and harder to treat.
It should be taken with food or drinks rich in fat such as milk.
It may cause fatigue and dizziness. Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration.
If you vomit within 1 hour of taking the tablets, take another dose.
Inform your doctor if you have kidney, liver or heart disease.
Brief Description
Indication
Oral Adults (weighing 35 kg and above): Administer 24 tablets over 3 days; use a 3-day treatment schedule with total of 6 doses. Day 1: 4 tablets initially and 4 tablets again after 8 hours. Days 2 & 3: 4 tablets BID (morning & evening).

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Administration
Artemether causes QT prolongation in some patients. Thus concomitant use of erythromycin, terfenadine, procainamide, quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, bretylium, bepridil, sotalol, astemizole, probucol, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines may be avoided.
Adult Dose
Pregnancy and lactation. Avoid concomitant use of drugs known to prolong QT interval or monitor such patients. Lactation: not known if either component enters breast milk, use caution

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Renal Dose
Artemether is a potent and rapidly acting blood schizontocide. Artemether and active metabolite (DHA): via endoperoxide. Lumefantrine: unknown; possibly inhibits beta-hematin formation Both artemether and lumentantrine inhibit nucleic acid and protein synthesis

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Contraindication
Oral Children (weighing 35 kg and above or more than 12 years of age): Administer 24 tablets over 3 days; use a 3-day treatment schedule with total of 6 doses. Day 1: 4 tablets initially and 4 tablets again after 8 hours. Days 2 & 3: 4 tablets BID (morning & evening). Children: < 12 years 5 to <15 kg: Administer 6 tablets over 3 days; 1 tablet initially and again after 8 hours on first day; follow by 1 tablet BID (morning & evening) for the next 2 days. 15 to <25 kg: Administer 12 tablets over 3 days; 2 tablets initially and again after 8 hours on first day; follow by 2 tablets BID (morning & evening) for the next 2 days. 25 to <35 kg: Administer 18 tablets over 3 days; 3 tablets initially and again after 8 hr on 1st day; follow by 3 tablets BID (morning & evening) for the next 2 days. _ Mode of Action Should be taken with food. Precaution Acute uncomplicated malaria, Falciparum malaria Pregnancy Category Note >10% Abdominal pain (17%),Anorexia (40%),Arthralgia (34%),Asthenia (38%),Chills (23%),Dizziness (39%),Fatigue (17%),Headache (56%),Myalgia (32%),Nausea (26%),Palpitations (18%),Pyrexia (25%),Sleep disorder (22%),Vomiting(17%) 1-10% Anemia (4%),Cough (6%),Diarrhea (7%),Hepatomegaly (9%),Malaise (3%),Nasopharyngitis (3%),Pruritus (4%),Rash (3%),Splenomegaly (9%),Vertigo (3%)

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Interaction
Hypersensitivity.