Lumether Forte Capsule 40/240mg Capsules

Artemether and lumefantrine treats acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. It is used in adults, children and babies weighing 5 kg or more.

• Artemether acts quickly to reduce the number of malaria parasites in the blood.
• Lumefantrine stays in the body longer and clears the parasites that remain.

Using the two together kills the parasites in different ways. It is not used to prevent malaria or to treat severe malaria affecting the brain, lungs or kidneys.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. The usual course is six doses over 3 days.

• Take each dose with food or a drink containing fat, such as milk. This helps the body absorb the medicine.
• Write down the times of all your doses when you take the first one.
• For young children, tablets may be crushed and mixed with a little water, followed by milk or food.
• If you are sick (vomit) within 1 hour of a dose, take that dose again. If you are sick again, contact your doctor.
• Take every dose and finish the course, even if you feel better.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. Never take a double dose.

Common side effects include:

• headache, dizziness, weakness or tiredness
• feeling sick, being sick, tummy pain or loss of appetite
• aching joints or muscles
• trouble sleeping, cough or a fast heartbeat

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• a rash, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing or swallowing
• a fast or uneven heartbeat, or fainting
• ongoing nausea, unusual tiredness or yellow skin or eyes
• tiredness, breathlessness or pale skin in the weeks after treatment (breakdown of red blood cells)
• fever, chills or headache that come back after the course

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have a heart rhythm problem (such as a long QT interval), a slow heartbeat or severe heart disease
• have a family member who died suddenly from a heart problem or was born with one
• have low potassium or magnesium in your blood
• have severe liver or kidney problems
• are taking or have recently taken other malaria medicines
• take medicines for heart rhythm or depression, some antibiotics or antifungals, rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, HIV medicines or St John's wort
• are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding

Store below 30°C in the original pack, and keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Severe malaria: this medicine is not for severe malaria or for preventing malaria. If you feel worse or are too unwell to eat or drink, get medical help urgently.

Pregnancy: in the first 3 months of pregnancy, your doctor will use another medicine if possible. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 1 week afterwards.

Contraception: hormonal contraception may not work as well. Use an extra method for about a month.

Driving: it can make you dizzy, sleepy or weak. Do not drive or use machines if affected.

Use grapefruit juice with caution.