Artemether-lumefantrine dispersible

Coartem® Dispersible
Novartis
Paediatric formulation
3-day cure, artemisinin-based combination therapies (TPP-1)

Artemether-lumefantrine dispersible

Access
-
Approved
Therapeutic indication

  • Treatment of children >5 kg and <25 kg with uncomplicated P. falciparum infection (including mixed infection)
Dosing

  • Twice-daily for 3 days
Efficacy

  • 28-day cure rate (PCR-corrected) 94%–98%

  • 42-day cure rate (PCR-corrected) 96%–100%
Key features

  • Dispersible, cherry-flavoured taste-masked formulation dissolves in 10mL of water, eases paediatric administration

  • Two-year shelf life
Challenges

  • Food effect: should be taken with food or drink rich in fat

  • Twice-daily dosing
Status

  • Approved by 2008 SwissMedic; 2012 by EMA

  • Approved in over 50 endemic countries

  • >450 million treatments distributed
Project Director

  • Adam Aspinall