Artemether and lumefantrine and Zonalon

In the database of official manuals used in the service creation an interaction registered by statistical results of studies was found, which can either lead to negative consequences for the patient health or strengthen a mutual positive effect. A doctor should be consulted to address the issue of joint drug administration.

Using lumefantrine together with doxepin topical can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting). Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications, whether together or alone. Because lumefantrine can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Artemether-lumefantrine may cause prolongation of the QT interval. Theoretically, coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in additive effects and increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death. In clinical trials, asymptomatic prolongation of the Fridericia-corrected QT interval (QTcF) by more than 30 msec from baseline was reported in approximately one-third of patients treated with artemether-lumefantrine, and prolongation by more than 60 msec was reported in more than 5% of patients. A few patients (0.4%) in the adult/adolescent population and no patient in the infant/children population experienced a QTcF greater than 500 msec. However, the possibility that these increases were disease-related cannot be ruled out. In a study of healthy adult volunteers, administration of the six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine was associated with mean changes in QTcF from baseline of 7.45, 7.29, 6.12 and 6.84 msec at 68, 72, 96, and 108 hours after the first dose, respectively. There was a concentration-dependent increase in QTcF for lumefantrine. No subject had a greater than 30 msec increase from baseline nor an absolute increase to more than 500 msec. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).

MANAGEMENT: Coadministration of artemether-lumefantrine with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval should generally be avoided. Caution is recommended when these drugs are used following treatment with artemether-lumefantrine due to the long elimination half-life of lumefantrine (3 to 6 days). Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

Artemether and lumefantrine

Generic Name: artemether / lumefantrine

Brand name: Coartem

Synonyms: Artemether and Lumefantrine

What is Artemether and lumefantrine?

Zonalon

Generic Name: doxepin topical

Brand name: Prudoxin, Zonalon

Synonyms: n.a.

What is Zonalon?