Alufa Tablet 20mg / 120mg

About Alufa Tablet 20mg / 120mg

Uses

• Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria
• Mixed malaria infections
• Chloroquine resistant malaria

Benefits

• Combines two antimalarial drugs to clear the parasite faster and lower resistance risk
• Effective against malaria strains resistant to older drugs like chloroquine
• Short six dose course completes treatment within three days

What Experts Say

Doctors in malaria affected regions of Pakistan rely on this artemether and lumefantrine combination because it clears the parasite from the blood quickly and works even against strains resistant to older antimalarial drugs like chloroquine. Artemether acts fast, while lumefantrine stays in the body longer to clear any remaining parasites.

Physicians stress taking this tablet with a fatty meal or milk, since food increases how well lumefantrine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Patients who take it on an empty stomach may not get the full protective effect against the malaria parasite and could see treatment fail.

Specialists confirm the diagnosis with a blood test before starting treatment and usually repeat the test after the course ends to make sure the infection has fully cleared. They also caution against using it during the first trimester of pregnancy unless absolutely necessary for the mother.

Drug Class

• Antimalarial combination, an artemisinin derivative with an aryl amino alcohol

Alufa Tablet 20mg / 120mg formula

• Artemether + Lumefantrine

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Alufa Tablet 20mg / 120mg?

• Take the tablet with food or a fatty drink like milk to improve absorption.
• The usual course is six doses over three days, taken at specific time intervals as prescribed.
• Complete the full course exactly as directed even if you feel better sooner.
• If you vomit within an hour of taking a dose, tell your doctor since a repeat dose may be needed.

Drug Interactions

• Other drugs that affect heart rhythm: Combining raises the risk of dangerous heart rhythm changes.
• Grapefruit juice: May increase lumefantrine levels in the blood.
• Rifampicin and certain seizure medicines: May reduce the effectiveness of this combination.
• CYP2D6 metabolized drugs: Levels of these medicines may be affected when taken together.

Risks and warnings

• Heart rhythm: Avoid in patients with known heart rhythm problems or a family history of sudden cardiac death.
• Pregnancy: Avoid during the first trimester unless no other treatment is suitable.
• Liver disease: Use with caution in patients with liver impairment.
• Severe malaria: Not suitable for severe or cerebral malaria, which needs injectable treatment.

Alufa Tablet Side Effects

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Sleep disturbances
• Muscle and joint pain
• Palpitations

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30 degrees Celsius in a dry place.
• Keep the strip in its original packaging away from light and moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not use after the printed expiry date.