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Artemether + Lumefantrine
Artemether and lumefantrine work synergistically to kill malaria parasites by disrupting their hemoglobin metabolism and causing oxidative damage.
Artemether and lumefantrine work synergistically to kill malaria parasites by disrupting their hemoglobin metabolism and causing oxidative damage. Used for Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae (in combination therapy).
At a glance
| Generic name | Artemether + Lumefantrine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | (Riamet), ARM-LUM, Mala1, Coartem |
| Sponsor | GlaxoSmithKline |
| Drug class | Antimalarial combination |
| Target | Plasmodium falciparum hemoglobin metabolism and heme detoxification pathway |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Artemether, a fast-acting artemisinin derivative, rapidly reduces parasite biomass by generating reactive oxygen species that damage parasite membranes and proteins. Lumefantrine, a slower-acting quinoline-methanol compound, inhibits heme polymerization in the parasite's digestive vacuole, preventing detoxification of toxic heme and leading to parasite death. Together, they provide rapid symptom relief and complete parasite clearance.
Approved indications
- Uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
- Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium malariae (in combination therapy)
Common side effects
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Palpitations
- QT prolongation
Key clinical trials
- First-in-Human PfSPZ-LARC2 Vaccination/CHMI (PHASE1)
- Platform Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Anti-malarial Agents in Participants With Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria (Cohort B2) (PHASE2)
- Investigating the Pharmacology of Tafenoquine in Papua New Guinean Children With Uncomplicated Malaria (PHASE4)
- OPTImizing Malaria And HIV Treatment in a Shifting Landscape in Africa (PHASE4)
- CHILD (Child Health and Infection With Low Density) Malaria (NA)
- Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of KLU156 in Adults and Children With Uncomplicated P. Falciparum Malaria (PHASE3)
- Health Systems Implementation and Molecular Surveillance of Multiple First-Line Treatments for Uncomplicated Malaria in Western Kenya
- Impact of Malaria Mass Drug Administration on Malaria Prevalence in Under 15 Children and Pregnant Women (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Artemether + Lumefantrine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Artemether + Lumefantrine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- GlaxoSmithKline portfolio CI