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Coartem and Alcohol/Food Interactions

There is 1 alcohol/food/lifestyle interaction with Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine).

Moderate

lumefantrine food

Moderate Food Interaction

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of artemether and lumefantrine. The mechanism is decreased clearance due to inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruits. High plasma levels of artemether and lumefantrine may increase the risk of QT interval prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes. In clinical trials, asymptomatic prolongation of the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) by more than 30 msec from baseline was reported in approximately one-third of patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine, and prolongation by more than 60 msec was reported in more than 5% of patients. A few patients (0.4%) in the adult/adolescent population and no patient in the infant/children population experienced a QTcF greater than 500 msec. However, the possibility that these increases were disease-related cannot be ruled out. In a study of healthy adult volunteers, administration of the six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine was associated with mean changes in QTcF from baseline of 7.45, 7.29, 6.12 and 6.84 msec at 68, 72, 96, and 108 hours after the first dose, respectively. There was a concentration-dependent increase in QTcF for lumefantrine. No subject had a greater than 30 msec increase from baseline nor an absolute increase to more than 500 msec.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food enhances the oral absorption of artemether and lumefantrine. In healthy volunteers, the relative bioavailability of artemether increased by two- to threefold and that of lumefantrine by sixteenfold when administered after a high-fat meal as opposed to under fasted conditions.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving artemether-lumefantrine therapy should avoid the consumption of grapefruits and grapefruit juice. To ensure maximal oral absorption, artemether-lumefantrine should be taken with food. Inadequate food intake can increase the risk for recrudescence of malaria. Patients who are averse to food during treatment should be closely monitored and encouraged to resume normal eating as soon as food can be tolerated.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  3. "Product Information. Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals (2009):

Coartem drug interactions

There are 367 drug interactions with Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine).

Coartem disease interactions

There are 2 disease interactions with Coartem (artemether / lumefantrine) which include:


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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.