Active Substance: Cefepime.
Overview
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This medicine contains an important and useful components, as it consists of
Cefepimeis available in the market in concentration
Artemether + Lumefantrine
- **Cardiovascular risk**: Both artemether and lumefantrine can cause QT interval prolongation. Close monitoring of the patient’s cardiac status is advised, particularly in those with pre-existing heart conditions or those taking other medications that affect the heart’s electrical system. - **Liver function**: Caution should be taken in patients with impaired liver function as both artemether and lumefantrine are metabolized in the liver. Liver function tests should be performed before and during treatment. - **Pregnancy and breastfeeding**: Artemether-lumefantrine combination is generally considered safe for use in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. However, it is advised to avoid in the first trimester unless the benefit outweighs the risks. It is excreted in breast milk, so caution is advised during breastfeeding. - **Drug interactions**: Both artemether and lumefantrine may interact with other drugs that affect the CYP450 system. Careful monitoring is required when co-administering with medications such as CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin) or inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole). - **Hemoglobinopathies**: Patients with hemoglobinopathies (e.g., sickle cell anemia) should be monitored closely, as malaria treatment with artemether-lumefantrine may exacerbate hemolysis in these individuals. - **Alcohol use**: Alcohol consumption should be avoided during treatment, as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as dizziness or drowsiness.
- **Malaria treatment**: Artemether-lumefantrine is primarily used for the treatment of uncomplicated *Plasmodium falciparum* malaria, particularly in areas where chloroquine resistance is prevalent. - **Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT)**: Artemether-lumefantrine is a key combination in ACT, which is the first-line treatment for malaria in many regions. This combination is preferred for its efficacy and ability to reduce the risk of developing drug resistance. - **Intravascular malaria**: In some cases of uncomplicated malaria that cannot be treated with oral therapy, artemether-lumefantrine can be used as part of the treatment regimen when other options are not available. - **Combination for drug-resistant malaria**: This combination is highly effective in treating drug-resistant strains of malaria, particularly in cases where other treatments have failed.
- **Hypersensitivity**: Contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity to either artemether or lumefantrine or any of the excipients in the formulation. - **Severe liver impairment**: Both drugs are metabolized in the liver. Therefore, artemether-lumefantrine should be avoided in patients with severe hepatic dysfunction or active liver disease. - **Severe malaria**: Not recommended for severe malaria or in patients with complications from malaria, such as organ failure. These patients often require parenteral therapy and closer monitoring. - **Severe cardiac conditions**: As both components may cause QT interval prolongation, this combination should be avoided in patients with pre-existing arrhythmias or severe heart conditions. - **Children under 5 kg or infants**: The safety and efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in children below 5 kg (usually under 3 months of age) has not been established, and the drug should not be used in this population.
- **Cardiac effects**: The most serious side effect includes QT interval prolongation, which can lead to arrhythmias. ECG monitoring may be necessary for patients at risk. - **Gastrointestinal issues**: Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Diarrhea is also a potential issue. - **Headache and dizziness**: These symptoms are frequent during treatment and usually resolve after the completion of therapy. - **Fatigue**: Patients may experience tiredness or weakness during and after treatment. - **Rash and hypersensitivity reactions**: Some patients may develop a rash or other allergic reactions such as itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. - **Hematologic effects**: Rarely, artemether-lumefantrine may cause a decrease in red blood cell count or other hematologic disturbances. - **Neurotoxicity**: High doses or prolonged use may cause dizziness, confusion, and other neurological effects, especially in those with predisposing conditions. - **Liver enzyme elevations**: Transient elevations in liver enzymes have been reported, so liver function should be monitored during treatment. - **Hemolysis**: Hemolysis may occur in patients with hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease.
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- **Artemether**: Artemether is an artemisinin derivative that acts by producing free radicals in the malaria parasite. These radicals damage the parasite's cell membranes and disrupt its ability to metabolize and digest hemoglobin, leading to parasite death. - **Lumefantrine**: Lumefantrine is an antimalarial drug that works by inhibiting the polymerization of heme into non-toxic hemozoin, thereby causing the accumulation of toxic heme inside the parasite. This disruption prevents the parasite from surviving in the red blood cells. - **Combination therapy**: The combination of artemether and lumefantrine provides synergistic effects that increase the treatment’s efficacy. Artemether rapidly reduces the parasite load, while lumefantrine provides prolonged action to clear the parasite from the body. This combination reduces the risk of resistance, which can develop when monotherapy is used. - **Targeting multiple stages**: Together, artemether and lumefantrine target different stages of the *Plasmodium* life cycle, making the combination highly effective in treating malaria.
- **CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin)**: These drugs may decrease the plasma levels of both artemether and lumefantrine, potentially reducing their effectiveness in treating malaria. - **CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin)**: These drugs may increase the levels of artemether and lumefantrine, increasing the risk of adverse effects such as QT prolongation or toxicity. - **Antimalarial drugs (e.g., quinine, mefloquine)**: Co-administration of artemether-lumefantrine with other antimalarial drugs may increase the risk of adverse effects or overlap toxicities. Monitoring is essential. - **Anticonvulsants (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin)**: These drugs can lower the plasma concentration of artemether and lumefantrine, diminishing their efficacy. - **Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin)**: Artemether-lumefantrine may potentiate the effects of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding. Regular monitoring of prothrombin time (INR) is recommended. - **Antacids**: Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium may reduce the absorption of lumefantrine, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the combination therapy.
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- **Standard dose**: The recommended dose for adults is 4 tablets of artemether-lumefantrine (20 mg artemether and 120 mg lumefantrine per tablet) taken twice daily for 3 days. - **Alternative dosing for severe malaria (if applicable)**: For patients who are unable to take oral medication, alternative methods may be used, though treatment typically starts with parenteral therapy. - **Adjustments for liver and kidney impairment**: Patients with mild to moderate liver or kidney dysfunction may be treated with standard dosing, but close monitoring is necessary. In severe cases, dose adjustments or alternative therapies may be required.
- **Weight-based dosing**: - For children weighing between 5 kg and 14 kg, the dose is typically 1 tablet (20 mg artemether + 120 mg lumefantrine) taken twice daily for 3 days. - For children weighing between 15 kg and 24 kg, 2 tablets (40 mg artemether + 240 mg lumefantrine) are taken twice daily for 3 days. - For children weighing between 25 kg and 34 kg, 3 tablets (60 mg artemether + 360 mg lumefantrine) are taken twice daily for 3 days. - For children weighing over 35 kg, the adult dosing regimen of 4 tablets twice daily for 3 days is used. - **Adjustments for infants**: Artemether-lumefantrine is not recommended for infants under 5 kg or those less than 3 months old due to a lack of safety data in this age group.
- **Renal impairment**: No specific dosage adjustments are needed for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment, but care should be taken in patients with severe renal failure. - **Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min)**: Caution should be exercised when using artemether-lumefantrine in this population. The drug should only be used if the potential benefit outweighs the risks, and patients should be closely monitored for side effects. - **Dialysis**: Since both artemether and lumefantrine are metabolized in the liver and have limited renal clearance, dialysis is unlikely to remove significant amounts of the drug from the body.
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