Amalar Tablet 20mg/120mg

About Amalar Tablet 20mg/120mg

Amalar Tablet 20mg/120mg Uses

• Treats uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum
• Used for malaria infections common in parts of Sindh, Balochistan, and rural Punjab
• Clears the malaria parasite from the bloodstream when taken as a complete course
• Prevents the disease from progressing to severe or complicated malaria if started early

Amalar Tablet 20mg/120mg Benefits

• Combines two antimalarial drugs for faster parasite clearance and reduced resistance risk
• Recommended first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria by international health guidelines
• Six dose course over three days makes it manageable for most patients
• Widely available across Pakistan, including in malaria endemic regions

What Experts Say

Artemether and lumefantrine work together to clear malaria parasites quickly and thoroughly. Artemether acts fast to reduce the parasite count early in treatment, while lumefantrine has a longer duration of action that mops up any remaining parasites and helps prevent the infection from coming back.

This fixed dose combination is considered a first line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria by the World Health Organization, and it is commonly used across malaria affected regions of Pakistan, particularly during the monsoon months when mosquito breeding increases.

Doctors stress that the full six dose course over three days must be completed even if symptoms improve after the first couple of doses, since stopping early can allow the parasite to survive and become resistant. Taking the tablets with fatty food also significantly improves how well lumefantrine is absorbed.

Drug Class

• Antimalarial combination therapy
• Artemisinin derivative combined with an aryl amino alcohol
• Antiparasitic medicine

Amalar Tablet 20mg/120mg formula

• Artemether 20mg
• Lumefantrine 120mg

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Amalar Tablet 20mg/120mg?

• Take the first dose, then repeat doses at 8, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hours, for six doses total
• Take each dose with food or a fatty drink like milk to improve absorption
• Complete the full course even if you start feeling better after a day or two
• If vomiting occurs within an hour of a dose, repeat that dose
• Seek medical care immediately if fever persists after completing the full course

Drug Interactions

• Other QT Prolonging Drugs: Combining with medicines that affect heart rhythm can increase cardiac risk.
• Grapefruit Juice: This can raise lumefantrine levels in the blood and should be avoided during treatment.
• Antiretroviral Drugs: Some HIV medicines can interact with this combination and affect its effectiveness.
• Rifampicin: This antibiotic can reduce the effectiveness of the antimalarial combination.

Risks and warnings

• Heart Rhythm Problems: This combination can affect heart rhythm, so caution is needed in people with existing cardiac conditions.
• Pregnancy: Use in the first trimester should only happen if no safer alternative is available and under medical supervision.
• Severe Malaria: This tablet is meant for uncomplicated malaria only, severe or complicated cases need injectable treatment in a hospital.
• Liver Disease: People with significant liver impairment should be monitored closely during treatment.
• Incomplete Treatment: Stopping the course early can lead to treatment failure and drug resistant malaria.

Amalar Tablet 20mg/120mg Side Effects

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleep disturbances
• Joint and muscle pain
• Weakness or fatigue
• Palpitations in rare cases

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place
• Protect from moisture and direct sunlight
• Keep out of reach of children
• Keep the blister pack sealed until each dose is due