Fentimet L Tablet 10s

Fentimet L Tablet 10s is a highly effective, combination medicine specifically designed to treat uncomplicated falciparum malaria. It combines two powerful antimalarial drugs, Artemether (80mg) and Lumefantrine (480mg), in a fixed-dose tablet. This combination is known as an Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), which is the standard treatment recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Artemether works quickly to clear the malaria parasites from the bloodstream, while Lumefantrine acts over a longer period to prevent the parasite from returning, ensuring a high cure rate and rapid relief from fever and illness. This medicine is prescribed as a complete course of 6 doses over 3 days.

Fentimet L Tablet 10s provides a robust, dual-action approach essential for the complete eradication of the parasite responsible for falciparum malaria, the most severe form of the disease. The tablet contains two distinct, but synergistic, active ingredients: Artemether and Lumefantrine.

The first component, Artemether, is an artemisinin derivative. It is a powerful, short-acting drug that targets the parasites in their early stages within the bloodstream. It works by releasing free radicals that rapidly destroy the malaria parasites, providing a quick drop in parasite count and fast relief from fever and other acute symptoms.

The second component, Lumefantrine, is a long-acting drug. It stays in the body for a longer period, acting like a clean-up crew. Its primary role is to eliminate any remaining parasites that may have survived the initial attack by Artemether. Lumefantrine prevents these residual parasites from growing and multiplying, thereby reducing the risk of a relapse and ensuring a complete cure.

This fixed-dose combination (ACT) is critical because it harnesses both rapid parasite clearance and sustained antimalarial activity, making it highly effective against drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Completing the full 6-dose, 3-day course is absolutely essential to ensure total parasite clearance and prevent the development of drug resistance.

Fentimet L Tablet 10s is indicated for the treatment of:

• Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Malaria: The primary use is for the standard treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the P. falciparum parasite in adults and children who weigh 5 kg or more.
• Malaria Endemic Areas: It is used as first-line treatment in regions where resistance to older antimalarials (like chloroquine) is common.
• Mixed Infections: It may be used for malaria caused by multiple Plasmodium species, although specific treatment may vary.

The combination of Artemether and Lumefantrine offers superior therapeutic advantages in malaria treatment:

• High Efficacy (ACT Standard): As an Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT), it is the globally recognised standard of care for falciparum malaria, offering a cure rate exceeding 95% when the full course is completed correctly.
• Rapid Symptom Relief: Artemether ensures a rapid reduction in the parasite load, leading to a quick resolution of fever, headache, and other debilitating symptoms, often within 24 to 48 hours.
• Prevents Relapse: Lumefantrine’s longer half-life (how long it stays active in the body) ensures sustained action against the remaining parasites, dramatically lowering the chance of the infection coming back (relapse).
• Fights Resistance: The dual-drug mechanism makes it highly effective against strains of P. falciparum that have developed resistance to single-drug therapies.
• Convenient Dosing: The fixed combination simplifies the treatment regimen, making it easier for patients to adhere to the critical six-dose, three-day course.

Most side effects are mild and temporary. However, certain symptoms should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Common Side Effects (Mild and Usually Temporary)

• Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhoea.
• Central Nervous System Effects: Headache, dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping.
• Joint and Muscle Pain: Body aches or joint pain.
• Heart Rate: Palpitations or mild, transient changes in heart rhythm (QT prolongation).

Serious and Rare Side Effects (Requires Immediate Medical Attention)

Stop taking the medicine and seek emergency medical assistance immediately if you notice:

• Severe Allergic Reaction: Sudden rash, hives, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or severe difficulty breathing.
• Heart Issues: Irregular or racing heartbeat (palpitations) that is severe or persistent.
• Signs of Liver Problems: Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, or sudden, unexplained bleeding or bruising.
• Severe Vomiting: If you vomit within the first hour of taking a dose, you must repeat the dose.

Disclaimer: Malaria itself is a life-threatening condition. Always complete the entire prescribed course, even if you feel better. Report any severe or unusual side effects to your doctor.

The correct administration of Fentimet L Tablet 10s is crucial for curing malaria and preventing drug resistance. The standard course involves 6 doses over 3 days.

Take with Food (CRITICAL):

• You must take this tablet with food or a drink containing fat (e.g., milk, peanut butter, oil-rich foods) to ensure proper absorption. Lumefantrine absorption increases significantly with fat, which is essential for curing the infection.

Follow the 6-Dose Schedule:

• Dose 1: At the time of diagnosis.

• Dose 2: 8 hours after the first dose.

• Dose 3: 12 hours after Dose 2 (or 24 hours after Dose 1).

• Dose 4: 12 hours after Dose 3 (or 36 hours after Dose 1).

• Dose 5: 12 hours after Dose 4 (or 48 hours after Dose 1).

• Dose 6: 12 hours after Dose 5 (or 60 hours after Dose 1).

Complete the Full Course:

• Do not stop taking the tablets even if you feel completely recovered. Failure to complete the full 6 doses may lead to treatment failure and drug resistance.

Repeat Dose After Vomiting:

• If you vomit within one hour of taking a dose, you must repeat the full dose.

• Take with FAT/Food (MANDATORY): You must take the tablet with a meal or a drink containing fat (e.g., whole milk, yogurt, oil, nuts). This is non-negotiable for the medicine to be properly absorbed and work effectively.

• Finish the Course: Complete all six doses of the 3-day course, even if your fever stops and you feel better. Failure to do so is the main reason for treatment failure and resistance.

• Repeat Vomited Dose: If you vomit within one hour of taking a dose, you must take an immediate repeat dose to ensure the full amount is absorbed.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have a fever, to avoid dehydration.

• Store Fentimet L Tablet 10s in its original packaging at room temperature, below 30 degrees Celsius.
• Keep the medicine in a cool, dry place, protected from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children and pets.

• Grapefruit Juice: Avoid consuming grapefruit products as they may interfere with how the body processes the medication.
• Alcohol: While not strictly prohibited, alcohol consumption is generally discouraged during acute illness like malaria, as it can worsen dehydration and put extra strain on the liver.

The concurrent use of Fentimet L Tablet 10s with other medicines, particularly those affecting the heart, must be carefully reviewed:

• Medicines Affecting Heart Rhythm: Strictly avoid taking Fentimet L Tablet 10s with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval, such as certain antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, quinidine), antipsychotics, and some antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin). This combination can increase the risk of serious, life-threatening heart rhythm disturbances.
• Strong Enzyme Inhibitors/Inducers: Medicines that affect liver enzymes (like certain antifungals or HIV medications) can change how quickly the body processes Artemether and Lumefantrine, potentially making the malaria treatment less effective or increasing side effects.
• Other Antimalarials: Caution is advised when switching from another antimalarial (like mefloquine or quinine) to Fentimet L Tablet 10s due to overlapping effects on the heart.
• CYP3A4 Substrates: Lumefantrine can increase the levels of some drugs processed by the CYP3A4 enzyme, such as certain beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.

Fentimet L Tablet 10s requires close monitoring or adjustment in patients with the following health issues:

• Heart Conditions: Contraindicated or used with extreme caution in patients with a history of QT interval prolongation, cardiac arrhythmias, or slow heart rate (bradycardia).
• Severe Kidney or Liver Disease: Used with caution, as these organs are vital for processing the drugs.
• Electrolyte Imbalances: Used with caution in patients with uncorrected low potassium (hypokalaemia) or low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia), as these conditions increase the risk of heart rhythm problems.

Fentimet L Tablet 10s is prescribed as a 6-dose course over 3 days.

The standard adult dosage schedule is:

• Dose 1: 4 tablets (80mg/480mg each) at the time of diagnosis.

• Dose 2: 4 tablets 8 hours after the first dose.

• Doses 3-6: 4 tablets twice daily (morning and evening, 12 hours apart) for the next two days (Day 2 and Day 3).

Crucial Instruction: You must adhere strictly to the schedule, ensuring all six doses are taken with a fatty meal or drink to maximise absorption and achieve a complete cure. Failure to complete the full course risks treatment failure.

It is absolutely crucial to stick to the exact 6-dose, 3-day schedule for Fentimet L Tablet 10s to be effective.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then, adjust your remaining schedule to ensure you complete all six doses exactly 8 or 12 hours apart as required. Do not double the dose to catch up. Inform your doctor immediately if you realise you have missed a dose, as the effectiveness of the entire treatment course may be compromised, and your doctor may recommend a complete restart of the treatment.