Drug Interaction Report

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

GENERALLY AVOID: Artemether-lumefantrine may cause prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. 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. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of artemether-lumefantrine with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval should generally be avoided. Caution is recommended when these drugs are used following treatment with artemether-lumefantrine due to the long elimination half-life of lumefantrine (3 to 6 days). Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

GENERALLY AVOID: Artemether-lumefantrine may cause prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. 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. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of artemether-lumefantrine with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval should generally be avoided. Caution is recommended when these drugs are used following treatment with artemether-lumefantrine due to the long elimination half-life of lumefantrine (3 to 6 days). Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

Each dose of lumefantrine should be taken with food such as milk, infant formula, pudding, porridge, or broth. Food helps the medication get absorbed into the bloodstream, so the medication may not work as well when taken on an empty stomach. If unable to be swallowed whole, lumefantrine tablets may be crushed and mixed with one to two teaspoons of water in a clean container and consumed immediately after mixing. The container should then be rinsed with more water and the contents consumed. This should be followed by eating as soon as possible. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with lumefantrine. Grapefruit juice can cause too much of the medication to be in the blood. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.