Artemether-Lumefantrine/Possible QT Prolonging Agents
Medical warning:
Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Artemether-lumefantrine can affect your heart's rhythm. Other drugs can have the same effect.
What might happen:
Taking artemether-lumefantrine with other agents that can affect your heart rhythm and may increase your risk of an irregular heartbeat, which may be life-threatening.
What you should do about this interaction:
Make sure your healthcare professionals (e.g doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medications together. Let your doctor know right away if you notice an irregular heartbeat or have any dizziness or fainting episodes.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Riamet (artemether/lumefantrine) UK summary of product characteristics. Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd. June 27, 2001.
2.Coartem (artemether/lumefantrine) US prescribing information. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation March, 2015.
3.The University of Arizona Center for Education and Research of Therapeutics. Drugs with Risk of Torsades de Pointes and Drugs with Possible Risk of Torsades de Pointes. Available at:http://www.crediblemeds.org/. Updated March 14, 2013.
4.Drew BJ, Ackerman MJ, Funk M, Gibler WB, Kligfield P, Menon V, Philippides GJ, Roden DM, Zareba W. Prevention of torsade de pointes in hospital settings: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Foundation. J Am Coll Cardiol 2010 Mar 2;55(9):934-47.