Coartem 80/480mg Tablets (Artemether/Lumefantrine)
Coartem 80/480mg is a potent, double-strength antimalarial medication manufactured by Novartis. It is a fixed-dose combination of Artemether and Lumefantrine, making it an Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), which is the first-line treatment for malaria in Nigeria.
This high-strength formulation is designed for adults and children weighing 35kg or more. It simplifies the treatment process by reducing the pill burden to just 6 tablets over a three-day course.
Key Benefits of Coartem 80/480mg
- Fast Malaria Relief: Rapidly clears malaria parasites from the blood, helping you recover from symptoms like fever, chills, and body aches.
- Trusted Treatment: A WHO-prequalified medicine, widely used in hospitals and pharmacies across Nigeria.
- Simple Dosage: Unlike standard Coartem, which requires many tablets, the 80/480mg "Double Strength" version requires only one tablet per dose.
- High Efficacy: Effectively treats acute, uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
How to Use Coartem 80/480mg Correctly
For the treatment to be effective, it must be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
- Take with Food: Each dose should be taken with a meal or a drink containing fat (like milk). This is critical because fat helps the body absorb the medication properly.
- Standard Schedule:
- Day 1: Take 1 tablet immediately, followed by the second tablet 8 hours later.
- Day 2: Take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening (12 hours apart).
- Day 3: Take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening (12 hours apart).
- Complete the Course: Even if you feel better after the first day, you must finish all 6 tablets to ensure the malaria is completely gone.
Precautions and Safety
- Not for Prevention: Coartem is for treating malaria, not for preventing it (prophylaxis).
- Severe Malaria: If you have severe symptoms like confusion, severe vomiting, or inability to sit up, seek immediate hospital care.
- Side Effects: Some people may feel dizzy, have headaches, or experience a loss of appetite.
- Pregnancy: If you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, consult your doctor or a GoMed pharmacist before using Coartem.
If you have questions about your symptoms, you can contact a GoMed pharmacist for expert advice.