About Alar Tablet 80mg / 480mg
Artemether and Lumefantrine combination tablet for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria in adults.
Alar Tablet Uses
- Treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
- Treatment of mixed malaria infections that include Plasmodium falciparum
- Malaria treatment in adults and children weighing more than 35 kilograms
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 higher 80mg/480mg strength means fewer tablets per dose, which helps adults complete the full course correctly
What Experts Say
Doctors and 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 because it clears parasites quickly and lowers the chance of the infection returning.
Experts stress that the full three day, six dose course must be completed exactly as prescribed, even once fever settles early. Stopping treatment early is a main reason malaria fails to clear and parasites become resistant. The 80mg and 480mg strength suits adults and heavier patients, since it delivers a higher combined dose in one tablet.
Health professionals in Pakistan recommend a follow up check a few days after finishing treatment to confirm the parasite has cleared, especially with ongoing fever or vomiting. Anyone with confusion, difficulty breathing, or very high fever 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 80mg / 480mg Uses in Urdu
- ملیریا کے علاج کے لیے، خاص طور پر پلازموڈیم فالسیپیرم کی وجہ سے ہونے والے سادہ ملیریا میں
- ملیریا کی ملی جلی اقسام کے علاج میں جن میں پلازموڈیم فالسیپیرم بھی شامل ہو
- بالغ افراد اور زیادہ وزن والے بچوں میں ملیریا کے مکمل تین دن کے علاج کے لیے
- بخار، سردی لگنا اور جسم میں درد جیسی ملیریا کی علامات کو کم کرنے کے لیے
Alar Tablet 80mg / 480mg formula
- Artemether + Lumefantrine
How to use Alar Tablet 80mg / 480mg?
- One tablet by mouth twice daily for three consecutive days, about 8 hours apart on the first day.
- Fatty food or milk alongside the tablet helps the body absorb the medicine properly.
- The full three day course should be completed even if fever and symptoms improve early.
- A repeat dose is recommended if vomiting occurs within one hour of taking the tablet.
- The exact dosing schedule should follow a doctor's advice based on body weight and infection severity.
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.
- High Strength Caution: This 80mg/480mg strength is meant for adults and heavier children, and should not be substituted for a lower strength tablet in young or underweight children.
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.