Coartem Ds 80/480MG | Uses, Side Effect

Overview – Coartem 80/480

Coartem belongs to a group of antimalarials. It contains arthemeter and lumefantrine.

How it works – Coartem 80/480

Artemether and Lumefantrine have a secondary action that involves inhibition of nucleic acid and protein synthesis within the malaria parasite. Note that nucleic acid and protein are essential and constitute malaria, so blocking leads to rendering the parasite useless or incapable.

The two components in Coartem (artemether and lumefantrine) possess anti-parasitic action on the malaria parasite’s food vacuole, which interferes with the conversation of haem(a toxic product of hemolysis- (which is the rupture or destruction of red blood cells) to the non-toxic hemozoin malarial pigment.

Where to Buy Coartem Online

Coartem 80/480 is available for purchase online with same-day delivery in Nigeria from 8mg Health. Each treatment is supplied in safe and discrete packaging, ensuring that you receive your medication on time and in good condition.

Buy Coartem Ds 80/480 Online at 8mg Health.

Coartem Dosage

Note that the dosage is dependent on your age, weight, medical condition, and response to the drug.

 Generally, dosage in adults and children weighing 35kg and above, including children of 12 years and above: 4 tablets as a single dose, then 4 tablets after 8 hours, and after that 4 tablets twice daily (morning and evening) on each of the following two days. The complete course of the drug is 18 tablets.

  • Dosage in patients weighing between 25-35kg: 3 tablets as a single dose, then 3 tablets again after 8 hours, and then 3 tablets twice daily (morning and evening) on each of the following two days. The total number of tablets is 12.
  • Dosage in infants and children weighing 5kg to less than 3.5kg and 13 years of age or less: One tablet as a single dose, then one tablet again after 6 hours, and thereafter one tablet twice daily in the morning and in the evening on each of the following two days. The total tablet count is 6.
  • For standby emergency treatment, an intensive 3-days course is 4 tablets as a single dose at the onset of symptoms, 4 tablets after 8 hours, and then 4 tablets twice daily on each of the following 2 days. The total tablet count is 24.

Route of administration: Orally by mouth.

How to Take Coartem 

Use the drug label as a guide on how to take coartem and if you have any questions/clarifications, seek your pharmacist or doctor. Take the drug orally, with food. It is to be taken twice a day(morning and evening preferably) for 3 days. However, on your first day, after taking the first dose, you take the second dose precisely 8 hours later before regulating the next 2 days for morning and evening doses.

  • Food helps with the absorption of this drug, so take it with food.
  • If you vomit the medicines within 1-2 hours of taking the medication, you should repeat the dose, and if you continue to vomit it afterward, see your doctor immediately.
  • Do not self-medicate or use more than the required dosage. Do not skip it as well, or stop even if you feel better.
  • You should evenly space the drug, so it can work properly. You can take it at the same time every day for easy remembrance.
  • Do not eat grapefruit while on this drug, as it can increase the drug in your bloodstream.
  • Seek medical attention if you experience severe side effects or if your symptoms worsen or persist after the completion of the drug.
  • If you cannot swallow the tablets, they can be crushed and mixed with about two teaspoons of clean water.

Contraindications: (do not use) in the following conditions

Hypersensitivity to Coartem, family history of cardiac arrhythmia or cardiac disease, neuroleptics, patients on drugs like antiarrhythmic, antidepressants, and certain antibiotics like macrolides, imidazole, fluoroquinolones), including some certain nonsedating antihistamines like Astemizole, and patients with a history of electrolyte imbalance like hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia.

Coartem 80/480 & Pregnancy

It should be used when needed.

Discuss the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider.

Coartem 80/480 & Breastfeeding

It is unknown if it can pass through breast milk, so talk to your doctor before using it.

It is used for acute uncomplicated malaria due to plasmodium falciparum. It is also used for drug-resistant or drug-sensitive malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum. Used for malaria infections that are resistant to other antimalarials.

Anorexia, palpitations, diarrhea, pruritus, rashes, dizziness, weakness, fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, insomnia.

  • If a patient condition worsens while on the drug, other antimalarials should be considered
  • Correction of any electrolyte deficit should also be considered, including close monitoring of ECG.
  • Coartem has not been indicated in the treatment of malaria due to plasmodium ovale/malaria.
  • It is not used for prevention but for the treatment of malaria.
  • Coartem should be taken with food or drinks rich in fat, such as milk.
  • This medication may cause dizziness, so do not drive or use machinery after taking it.
  • Also, stop alcohol/alcohol beverages and marijuana as it can potentiate the side effects.
  • Also, suppose you have certain heart conditions like QT prolongation, slow heartbeat, family history of heart problems or heart failure, or even low potassium level. In that case, this can increase the effect of QT prolongation. Kindly let your doctor know about this before you are commenced on this drug.

✓Before taking this drug, let your doctor know your previous and current medical histories, especially if you have liver or kidney problems. Including any previous or recent use of antimalarials. ✓Before using this drug, tell your pharmacist if you have an allergy to it or any other allergies. ✓Halofantrine, an antimalarial, must not be used within one month of treatment with Coartem. ✓In addition, other antimalarials like quinidine, antiarrhythmic medicines, macrolides antibiotics, quinolone antibiotics, including antipsychotics like ziprasidone cause an effect on the heart's center rhythm of the heart i.e the QT prolongation. ✓Also, the medications can reduce the efficiency of contraceptive pills, rings, or paths, leading to pregnancy. So you might want to use extra protection; whatever the case may be, talk to your doctor about it. ✓Other drugs that can also affect the excretion of the drug from your body include anti-seizures, azole antifungals, HIV-peptidase inhibitors, rifampicin, and others. ✓This drug may also speed up or abate the removal of different medications from your body. Samples of affected drugs include tricyclic antidepressants beta-blockers, among others. ✓Anti-protozoal medications can have an effect in combination with the drug, so inform your healthcare provider if you took this drug four weeks prior and before treatment with Coartem.

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