Coartem Side Effects

Generic name: artemether / lumefantrine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 26, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Coartem Side Effects associated with artemether / lumefantrine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Coartem.

Applies to artemether / lumefantrine: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Coartem

Along with its needed effects, artemether / lumefantrine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking artemether / lumefantrine:

More common side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain
• chills
• cough
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• headache
• muscle aches
• pale skin
• right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• accumulation of pus
• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• black, tarry stools
• bladder pain
• blood in the urine
• bloody or cloudy urine
• body aches or pain
• change in hearing
• chest pain
• cloudy urine
• convulsions
• cough producing mucus
• decreased urine
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with breathing
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• ear congestion
• ear drainage
• earache or pain in the ear
• frequent urge to urinate
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• heartburn
• increased thirst
• indigestion
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nasal congestion
• nausea or vomiting
• noisy breathing
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• red rash with watery, yellow-colored, or pus filled blisters
• shivering
• sneezing
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• sweating
• swollen glands
• swollen, red, tender area of infection
• thick yellow to honey-colored crusts
• tightness in the chest
• troubled sleeping

Incidence not known

• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

Other side effects of Coartem

Some side effects of artemether / lumefantrine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• difficulty with moving
• lack or loss of strength
• muscle aching or cramping
• muscle pain or stiffness
• weight loss

Less common side effects

• back pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• discharge or excessive tearing
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• hearing loss
• hives or welts
• redness of the skin
• redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
• sensation of spinning
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
• uncontrolled eye movements
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

For healthcare professionals

Applies to artemether / lumefantrine: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common side effects were headache, anorexia, dizziness, asthenia, arthralgia, and myalgia during clinical studies. Most side effects were mild, did not lead to discontinuation of this drug, and resolved. The 6-dose regimen was discontinued due to side effects in 0.2% of adult patients.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 56%), dizziness (up to 39%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, paresthesia, clonus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence, involuntary muscle contractions, hypoesthesia, ataxia
• Frequency not reported: Tinnitus, fine motor delay, hyperreflexia, nystagmus, tremor, ototoxicity (including decreased hearing)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (up to 40%), decreased appetite
• Frequency not reported: Hypokalemia^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Asthenia (up to 38%), pyrexia/fever (up to 25%), chills (up to 23%), fatigue (up to 17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Malaise, rigors, parasitic infestation, viral infection, abscess
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal gait, gait disturbance
• Frequency not reported: Ear infection
• Postmarketing reports: Face edema, peripheral edema^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia (up to 34%), myalgia (up to 32%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 26%), vomiting (up to 17%), abdominal pain (up to 17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia
• Frequency not reported: Constipation, dysphagia, peptic ulcer, gastroenteritis, helminthic infection, hookworm infection, oral herpes^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Sleep disorder (up to 22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Frequency not reported: Agitation, mood swings^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Palpitations (up to 18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): QT interval prolongation on ECG
• Frequency not reported: QTc prolongation (including asymptomatic)
• Postmarketing reports: Hypertension^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Splenomegaly, anemia, malaria
• Frequency not reported: Eosinophilia, abnormal lymphocyte morphology, decreased hematocrit, decreased platelet count, increased platelet count, decreased WBC count, increased WBC count, hemolytic anemia, Plasmodium falciparum infection, autoimmune hemolytic anemia
• Postmarketing reports: Delayed hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

At least 1 case of autoimmune hemolytic anemia has been attributed to lumefantrine.

Cases of delayed hemolytic anemia have been reported after treatment with this drug, primarily when used for the treatment of severe malaria in patients initially treated with IV/parenteral artesunate.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hepatomegaly, increased liver function tests
• Frequency not reported: Increased ALT, increased AST, hepatitis
• Postmarketing reports: Jaundice^[Ref]

During a study, jaundice was observed in 3 patients after treatment with this drug; however, each patient had elevated serum bilirubin at baseline. Resolution occurred on follow-up.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Cough/coughing, nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis
• Frequency not reported: Asthma, pharyngolaryngeal pain, bronchitis, influenza, lower respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Acrodermatitis, impetigo, subcutaneous abscess
• Postmarketing reports: Serious skin reactions (bullous eruption), urticaria, angioedema, erythematous rash^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (including urticaria, angioedema), anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Hematuria, proteinuria, urinary tract infection
• Postmarketing reports: Chromaturia, hemoglobinuria^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Conjunctivitis^[Ref]

Further information

Coartem side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer