Alar Tablet 20mg / 120mg

About Alar Tablet 20mg / 120mg

Alar Tablet Uses

• Treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
• Treatment of mixed malaria infections that include Plasmodium falciparum
• Malaria treatment in children over 5 kilograms and in adults, using weight based tablet counts

Alar Tablet Benefits

• Fast acting artemether clears most malaria parasites from the blood within the first day or two of treatment
• Longer acting lumefantrine stays in the body to clear remaining parasites and lowers the chance of relapse
• The combination lowers the risk of the malaria parasite developing resistance compared to a single antimalarial drug alone
• The lower 20mg/120mg strength allows precise, weight based dosing, which is especially useful for children

What Experts Say

Doctors and national malaria guidelines recognize artemether with lumefantrine as a first line option for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The World Health Organization recommends this artemisinin based combination therapy for its quick parasite clearance and lower relapse risk.

Experts stress that all six doses across the three day course must be completed exactly as prescribed, even once fever settles early. Stopping early is a main reason malaria treatment fails to clear. The 20mg and 120mg strength allows precise, weight based dosing, since tablet count depends on body weight, which matters most in children.

Health professionals in Pakistan recommend a follow up check a few days after finishing treatment, especially in children who had high fever before starting treatment. Anyone with confusion, difficulty breathing, or repeated vomiting needs urgent hospital care rather than oral tablets alone.

Drug Class

• Artemisinin derivative (artemether)
• Aryl amino alcohol antimalarial (lumefantrine)
• Artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT)

Alar Tablet 20mg / 120mg formula

• Artemether + Lumefantrine

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Alar Tablet 20mg / 120mg?

• Four tablets by mouth as a single dose, repeated twice daily for three consecutive days for an average adult.
• A doctor calculated, lower tablet count applies for children based on body weight.
• Fatty food or milk alongside each dose helps the body absorb the medicine properly.
• The full three day, six dose course should be completed even if symptoms improve early.
• A repeat dose is recommended if vomiting occurs within one hour of taking the tablets.

Drug Interactions

• Other QT Prolonging Drugs: Combining with certain antibiotics, antipsychotics, or antiarrhythmic drugs raises the risk of dangerous heart rhythm changes.
• CYP3A4 Inducers: Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St John's Wort can lower artemether and lumefantrine blood levels, reducing effectiveness.
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Ketoconazole and certain HIV protease inhibitors can raise drug levels and increase the risk of side effects.
• Grapefruit Juice: Large amounts may increase lumefantrine blood levels and should be avoided during treatment.
• Other Antimalarials: Combining with mefloquine, halofantrine, or quinine, especially halofantrine, raises the risk of heart rhythm problems and is generally avoided.

Risks and warnings

• Pregnancy: Not recommended during the first trimester unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, and only under close medical supervision.
• Heart Rhythm: Caution is needed in patients with a history of irregular heartbeat, slow heart rate, or a prolonged QT interval on ECG.
• Liver or Kidney Disease: Dose adjustment and close monitoring may be required in patients with significant organ impairment.
• Alcohol: Alcohol should be avoided during treatment since it can raise the risk of an irregular heart rhythm.
• Weight Based Dosing: This 20mg/120mg strength allows precise dosing in children, and the number of tablets per dose must be confirmed by a doctor based on body weight.

Alar Tablet Side Effects

• Headache and dizziness
• Sleep disturbances, including trouble sleeping or vivid dreams
• Loss of appetite and nausea
• Vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea
• General weakness or tiredness
• Joint pain and muscle pain
• Mild itching or skin rash
• Palpitations or an unusual heartbeat sensation, which needs urgent medical review
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as facial swelling, throat tightness, or difficulty breathing, which need emergency care

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30 degrees Celsius in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the strip inside its original packaging until ready to use.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Discard any unused tablets after the expiry date printed on the pack.