About Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg
Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg contains Artemether + Lumefantrine, used for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.
Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg Uses
- Treats uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria
- Used in mixed malaria infections that include P. falciparum
- Prescribed for children and adults in the 5kg to 34kg weight range based on the dosing schedule
- Part of the WHO recommended artemisinin combination therapy (ACT)
Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg Benefits
- Combines a fast acting artemisinin derivative with a longer acting partner drug
- Clears malaria parasites quickly and lowers the risk of recurrence
- Lower strength tablet allows precise weight based dosing in children
- Well studied safety profile in pediatric and lower weight malaria patients
What Experts Say
Pakistan carries a significant malaria burden, especially in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with cases rising during monsoon months. Physicians treat confirmed Plasmodium falciparum infections with artemisinin combination therapy since it clears parasites faster and lowers resistance risk. Doctors reserve this lower strength tablet for children and lighter weight adults.
Dosing is strictly weight based rather than age based, which is why the 20mg/120mg strength exists alongside higher strength tablets. The six dose regimen over three days keeps drug levels high enough to kill parasites at different life cycle stages. Taking each dose with a fatty meal meaningfully improves lumefantrine absorption, since it is fat soluble.
Physicians typically request a follow up blood smear after the course finishes to confirm parasites have cleared. Anyone with an existing heart rhythm disorder, or taking medicines known to affect heart rhythm, should be reviewed before starting treatment. Warning signs of severe malaria such as confusion or breathing difficulty need immediate hospital care.
Drug Class
- Antimalarial (Artemisinin Combination Therapy)
Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg Uses in Urdu
- ملیریا کے سادہ انفیکشن کے علاج کے لیے استعمال ہوتی ہے
- پلازموڈیم فالسیپیرم ملیریا کو ختم کرنے میں مدد دیتی ہے
- کم وزن اور بچوں کے مریضوں میں وزن کے حساب سے خوراک دی جاتی ہے
- عالمی ادارہ صحت کی تجویز کردہ آرٹیمیسینن کومبینیشن تھراپی کا حصہ ہے
Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg formula
- Artemether + Lumefantrine
How to use Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg?
- Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor after a confirmed malaria diagnosis
- Standard course is six doses spread over three days, given at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours
- Dose is calculated by body weight, this 20mg/120mg strength is typically used for patients weighing between 5kg and 34kg
- Always take each dose with milk, yogurt or a fatty meal since fat improves absorption of lumefantrine
- If vomiting occurs within one hour of a dose, repeat the full dose
- Complete the entire course even if symptoms improve early
Drug Interactions
- CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Ketoconazole and ritonavir can raise drug levels and increase side effect risk
- CYP3A4 Inducers: Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John's Wort can reduce effectiveness
- QT Prolonging Drugs: Certain antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, macrolide antibiotics and fluoroquinolones raise heart rhythm risk when combined
- Other Antimalarials: Avoid combining with mefloquine or halofantrine due to added QT risk
- Grapefruit Juice: May alter drug absorption, best avoided during treatment
Risks and warnings
- Heart Rhythm Risk: Can prolong the QT interval, use caution with existing heart rhythm problems or other QT prolonging medicines
- Pregnancy: Avoid in the first trimester unless no safer alternative exists, use only under medical supervision later in pregnancy
- Liver or Kidney Disease: Use with caution and closer monitoring in significant hepatic or renal impairment
- Severe Malaria: Not suitable for cerebral or severe complicated malaria, which needs injectable treatment
- Breastfeeding: Discuss with your doctor since limited safety data exists during lactation
- Children Under 5kg: Not recommended for infants below 5kg body weight
Arceva Tablet 20mg / 120mg Side Effects
- Headache and dizziness
- Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Sleep disturbances
- Joint pain and muscle aches
- Weakness or fatigue
- Skin rash or itching
- Palpitations in rare cases
Storage Conditions
- Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place
- Keep the blister strip inside its original carton to protect from light and moisture
- Keep out of reach of children
- Do not use beyond the printed expiry date
