Coartem Oral Suspension
Coartem Oral Suspension is a pediatric fixed-dose combination antimalarial medication. It contains artemether, a fast-acting artemisinin derivative that rapidly reduces parasite biomass, and lumefantrine, a longer-acting antimalarial that eliminates residual parasites. It is presented as a dry powder to be reconstituted with water for oral administration.
Dosage by Body Weight
Must be administered with food, milk, or breast milk to maximize absorption. The standard treatment is a 3-day course consisting of 6 doses in total. The first dose is followed by a second dose 8 hours later, and then twice daily (morning and evening) for the next 2 days.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- Safety and efficacy not established
- Frequency
- Not routinely recommended
- Tracking Notes
- Use only if alternative treatment options are unavailable and potential benefit outweighs risk.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- 5 mL (20 mg artemether / 120 mg lumefantrine)
- Frequency
- Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses)
- Tracking Notes
- Administer with fatty food or milk. If vomiting occurs within 1 hour of administration, repeat the dose.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- 5 mL (20 mg artemether / 120 mg lumefantrine)
- Frequency
- Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses)
- Tracking Notes
- Complete the full 3-day course to prevent malaria recurrence.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- 5 mL to 10 mL (5 mL for weight under 15 kg; 10 mL if weight is 15 kg)
- Frequency
- Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses)
- Tracking Notes
- The dosing transition occurs at 15 kg, where the dose increases to 10 mL (40 mg artemether / 240 mg lumefantrine).
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- 10 mL (40 mg artemether / 240 mg lumefantrine)
- Frequency
- Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses)
- Tracking Notes
- Ensure the patient consumes food or milk with each dose to facilitate adequate drug absorption.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | Safety and efficacy not established | Not routinely recommended | Use only if alternative treatment options are unavailable and potential benefit outweighs risk. |
| 5-7 kg | 5 mL (20 mg artemether / 120 mg lumefantrine) | Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses) | Administer with fatty food or milk. If vomiting occurs within 1 hour of administration, repeat the dose. |
| 8-10 kg | 5 mL (20 mg artemether / 120 mg lumefantrine) | Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses) | Complete the full 3-day course to prevent malaria recurrence. |
| 11-15 kg | 5 mL to 10 mL (5 mL for weight under 15 kg; 10 mL if weight is 15 kg) | Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses) | The dosing transition occurs at 15 kg, where the dose increases to 10 mL (40 mg artemether / 240 mg lumefantrine). |
| 16-20 kg | 10 mL (40 mg artemether / 240 mg lumefantrine) | Twice daily for 3 days (Total 6 doses) | Ensure the patient consumes food or milk with each dose to facilitate adequate drug absorption. |
Formulation
Purpose
Treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum in infants and pediatric patients.
Generic Name
Artemether / LumefantrineScheduled Drug
Yes. This medicine should be supplied or used only according to applicable prescription and regulatory requirements.