Gen-M tablet 80mg / 480mg

About Gen-M tablet 80mg / 480mg

Gen-M Tablet 80mg / 480mg Uses

• Treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria
• First line oral therapy for acute malaria in adults and children over 5kg
• Treatment of malaria resistant to chloroquine
• Used after injectable artesunate to complete a full antimalarial course
• Malaria infection confirmed by blood test or rapid diagnostic test

Gen-M Tablet 80mg / 480mg Benefits

• Combines two antimalarials for faster parasite clearance and lower resistance risk
• Convenient oral tablet form taken at home after diagnosis
• Well absorbed when taken with fatty food
• Shortens the overall duration of malaria symptoms
• Reduces the chance of malaria relapse compared to a single drug

What Experts Say

Physicians favor artemether combined with lumefantrine because it pairs a fast acting artemisinin derivative with a partner drug that stays in the body longer, clearing any parasites the first drug leaves behind. This is why the World Health Organization lists it as a preferred artemisinin combination therapy for uncomplicated malaria.

The 80mg/480mg strength is designed for adult and larger pediatric patients, taken as six doses over three days, usually at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours. Doctors advise taking each dose with milk or a fatty meal, since lumefantrine absorption depends heavily on dietary fat and low absorption can lead to treatment failure.

Malaria continues to place a real strain on Pakistan's healthcare system, especially during and after the monsoon season. Physicians stress that stopping the tablets early, even after symptoms improve, allows surviving parasites to develop resistance, so completing the entire course exactly as prescribed remains essential for a lasting cure.

Drug Class

• Antimalarial
• Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT)

Gen-M tablet 80mg / 480mg formula

• Artemether + Lumefantrine

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Gen-M tablet 80mg / 480mg?

• Take exactly as prescribed, usually as six doses over three days
• Swallow with milk, yogurt or a fatty meal to improve absorption
• Do not skip or delay doses even if symptoms improve early
• Complete the full course even after fever and other symptoms disappear
• Avoid taking on an empty stomach

Drug Interactions

• Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Combined use may raise the risk of dangerous heart rhythm changes.
• CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Drugs like ketoconazole can raise blood levels of artemether and lumefantrine, increasing side effect risk.
• CYP3A4 Inducers: Drugs like rifampicin can lower blood levels and reduce effectiveness.
• Grapefruit Juice: May interfere with normal drug metabolism and should be avoided during treatment.
• Other Antimalarials: Avoid combining with another artemisinin based drug outside of standard combination therapy.

Risks and warnings

• QT Prolongation: May affect heart rhythm, so caution is needed in patients with existing heart conditions or those taking other heart rhythm medicines.
• Pregnancy Caution: Avoid during the first trimester unless no other treatment option is suitable, and use only under medical supervision.
• Liver Impairment: Use with caution in patients with significant liver disease, since the drug is processed by the liver.
• Food Requirement: Must be taken with fatty food or milk, otherwise absorption drops significantly and the treatment may fail.
• Hypersensitivity: Stop the medicine and seek medical help if signs of an allergic reaction such as rash or swelling appear.

Gen-M Tablet 80mg / 480mg Side Effects

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Joint and muscle pain
• Sleep disturbance
• Palpitations
• Skin rash
• Weakness or fatigue

Storage Conditions

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture
• Keep the tablets in their original blister pack until needed
• Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink
• Keep out of reach of children
• Discard any unused tablets after the expiry date printed on the pack