Clinical medicine profile
Lumefantrine
Antimalarial
- Route
- ORAL / PARENTERAL (severe malaria)
- Schedule
- POM
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
This profile needs source confirmation
A traceable source link is not attached to this profile. Confirm prescribing decisions against the current SmPC and Kenya STG/EML.
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity.
- Agent-specific: e.g. mefloquine in active depression/psychosis/seizure disorder
- primaquine in G6PD deficiency (haemolysis).
- Always check agent-specific absolute contraindications.
Precautions
- Confirm species and severity.
- ECG risk with some agents (quinine, piperaquine).
- Pregnancy: follow Kenya/WHO trimester-specific ACT guidance.
- Vomiting within 30–60 min may need redosing per protocol.
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
Dosing is indication-, age-, weight- and organ-function-specific for this INN. Do not use class averages for high-risk patients. Confirm the exact regimen in the current SmPC and Kenya Standard Treatment Guidelines. Typical professional workflow: (1) confirm indication, (2) check renal/hepatic function, (3) screen interactions/allergies, (4) select dose/route/duration, (5) define monitoring.
Paediatric dosing is weight- and age-based; use a paediatric formulary / SmPC. Do not extrapolate adult tablets without calculation.
Supportive care critical in severe malaria; adjust supportive drugs as needed.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Monitor if pre-existing liver disease; many agents hepatically metabolised.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- Therapeutic use is agent- and indication-specific within the class (Antimalarial).
- Use according to culture results, national guidelines (Kenya STG/EML where applicable) and the current product SmPC.
- Clinical selection for Lumefantrine should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Antimalarial.
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Adverse effects
- GI upset, headache, dizziness, sleep disturbance (mefloquine).
- Serious: cardiotoxicity, neuropsychiatric effects, haemolysis (primaquine in G6PD def.), cinchonism (quinine).
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- Kenya: follow current MoH malaria guidelines for uncomplicated vs severe disease.
- Test before treat when feasible.
- Complete full ACT course.
- Severe malaria is an emergency — parenteral artesunate, not oral therapy alone.
Mechanism & disposition
Artemisinins generate carbon-centred free radicals after activation by parasite haem-iron, damaging parasite proteins and membranes — rapid blood schizonticidal effect.
Read complete mechanism
Artemisinins generate carbon-centred free radicals after activation by parasite haem-iron, damaging parasite proteins and membranes — rapid blood schizonticidal effect. Partner drugs (lumefantrine, piperaquine, etc.) provide longer-acting clearance of residual parasites. Other classes act on haem detoxification, electron transport, or folate pathways depending on agent.
Hours (artemisinins rapid parasite clearance)
Regimen-dependent (ACT 3 days typical)
ORAL / PARENTERAL (severe malaria)
enhanced by fat-containing food. Complex
(CYP3A4) for several partners. Severe malaria: parenteral artesunate preferred first-line in most guidelines.
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
Treat malaria — untreated infection risks mother and fetus. Use trimester-appropriate regimens per Kenya MoH / WHO.
Most first-line ACTs compatible; continue breastfeeding with maternal treatment.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| No reviewed brand listings are linked yet. | |||
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.