title: Artemether-lumefantrine: an option for malaria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  English-language articles indexed in PubMed (1947-November 2011) were identified, using the search terms artemether-lumefantrine, artemether-lumefantrine AND malaria, Coartem, and Coartem AND malaria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Available English-language articles were reviewed. In addition, the malaria treatment regimens recommended by region as provided by the World Health Organization and the treatment guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Artemether-lumefantrine is an artemisinin-derived combination antimalarial approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2009 for the treatment of P. falciparum malaria. The dual mechanisms of action of artemether-lumefantrine provide rapid and sustained parasite clearance. In the reviewed studies, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-corrected 28-day cure rates of artemether-lumefantrine were noninferior to the most common comparators, including chloroquine, dapsone, and other artemisinin derivatives (86-100% vs 51-100%, respectively). PCR-corrected day-42 cure rates were 92-99.3% for artemether-lumefantrine versus 62-100% for the comparator groups. The major adverse effects (gastrointestinal and central nervous system) were mild to moderate in severity and did not require a change in therapy. Although adherence to artemether-lumefantrine has been described as a potential problem due to the complicated dosing schedule, studies have described clinical cure rates similar to those of other antimalarials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Artemether-lumefantrine is a safe and effective treatment for children and adults with P. falciparum malaria.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS, USA. kstover@umc.edu
authors.forename: Kayla R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Stover
authors.forename: S Travis
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D055118:Medication Adherence; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D000077611:Artemether, Lumefantrine Drug Combination; D037621:Artemisinins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005449:Fluorenes