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Key Facts
- Drug Class
- Antimalarial (Artemisinin combination)
- Prescription
- Over the counter
- NAFDAC Status
- NAFDAC Registered
- Forms
- Tablet, Suspension
- Price Range
- ₦800 - ₦5,000
- WHO Essential
- Yes
What is Artemether-Lumefantrine?
Artemether-Lumefantrine (commonly known as Coartem or Lonart) is the number one recommended treatment for uncomplicated malaria in Nigeria. It belongs to a class of drugs called Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), which combine two different antimalarial compounds to fight malaria parasites more effectively and reduce the chances of drug resistance developing. In Nigeria, where malaria is endemic and accounts for a significant percentage of hospital visits especially during the rainy season, Artemether-Lumefantrine is the go-to drug recommended by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health.
ACTs work by combining a fast-acting artemisinin derivative (artemether) that rapidly kills most of the malaria parasites in your blood with a longer-acting partner drug (lumefantrine) that clears the remaining parasites over several days. This two-pronged approach is why ACTs are so effective and why they replaced older drugs like chloroquine, which malaria parasites in Nigeria have become widely resistant to. Artemether-Lumefantrine has been in use in Nigeria for over two decades and remains highly effective against the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which causes the most dangerous and common form of malaria in the country.
You can find Artemether-Lumefantrine in virtually every pharmacy and many patent medicine stores across Nigeria. It is available as tablets for adults and older children, and as a suspension (syrup) for younger children. Popular brands you will see on pharmacy shelves include Coartem, Lonart, Lumartem, and the locally manufactured Amatem by Emzor Pharmaceuticals. While it is sold over the counter without a prescription, it is always best to confirm you actually have malaria through a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or microscopy before taking any antimalarial, as using these drugs unnecessarily can contribute to resistance.
What is Artemether-Lumefantrine used for?
In Nigeria, Artemether-Lumefantrine is commonly used for:
- First-line treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and children
- Treatment of mixed Plasmodium species malaria infections
- Malaria treatment as recommended by the Nigerian National Malaria Treatment Guidelines
- Post-discharge follow-up oral treatment after initial parenteral therapy for severe malaria
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
Adults and patients weighing 35 kg and above: 4 tablets (each containing 20mg artemether/120mg lumefantrine) taken twice daily for 3 days. That is 4 tablets at diagnosis, then 4 tablets after 8 hours, then 4 tablets twice daily on Day 2 and Day 3 (total of 24 tablets over 3 days). Take with food or a milky drink, as fatty food significantly improves absorption.
Children
Dosing is based on body weight. Children 5-14 kg: 1 tablet per dose. Children 15-24 kg: 2 tablets per dose. Children 25-34 kg: 3 tablets per dose. Children 35 kg and above: 4 tablets per dose (adult dose). Each dose is given twice daily for 3 days (6 doses total). The suspension form is available for younger children who cannot swallow tablets. Always use the measuring device provided with the suspension.
Elderly
Same dosing as adults. However, elderly patients should be monitored more closely for side effects, especially dizziness and heart-related effects.
It is very important to complete the full 3-day course even if you start feeling better after the first day. Stopping early can lead to the malaria coming back and may contribute to drug resistance. Always take with food, preferably with something containing fat such as groundnut, milk, or a meal with palm oil. If vomiting occurs within one hour of taking a dose, repeat the dose.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Nausea and loss of appetite
- •Abdominal pain
- •Joint and muscle pain
- •Fatigue and weakness
- •Sleep disturbances
- •Palpitations (feeling your heart beat)
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Severe allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of face or throat, severe rash)
- Irregular heartbeat or prolonged QT interval
- Severe skin reactions (blistering, peeling)
- Dark-coloured urine (may indicate haemolysis)
- Seizures or convulsions
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or go to the nearest hospital immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, severe skin rash or blistering, chest pain or irregular heartbeat, dark urine, persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping the medication down, seizures, or if your malaria symptoms do not improve after completing the full course of treatment. Also return to the hospital if fever comes back within 28 days of completing treatment.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Artemether-Lumefantrine if you have:
- Known allergy or hypersensitivity to artemether, lumefantrine, or any component of the formulation
- Patients with severe malaria (use injectable artesunate instead)
- First trimester of pregnancy (use quinine plus clindamycin instead)
- Patients with known QT prolongation or those taking drugs that prolong the QT interval
- Patients with severe liver or kidney disease
Drug interactions
- •Drugs that prolong the QT interval (e.g., haloperidol, erythromycin, some antiretrovirals)
- •CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole and grapefruit juice may increase drug levels
- •CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin and carbamazepine may reduce effectiveness
- •Avoid taking with other antimalarials such as mefloquine or quinine within the same period
- •Antiretroviral drugs used for HIV (especially efavirenz and lopinavir/ritonavir) may interact and require monitoring
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Artemether-Lumefantrine is NOT recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy. In the second and third trimesters, it can be used if the benefit outweighs the risk, and it is actually the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria in pregnancy during these trimesters according to Nigerian guidelines. Small amounts may pass into breast milk, but it is generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. Always inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
NAFDAC-Registered Brands of Artemether-Lumefantrine in Nigeria
4 brands registered with NAFDAC as of 2026-02-01.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form | NAFDAC Reg. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coartem | Novartis | 20mg/120mg, 80mg/480mg | Tablet | A4-0891 |
| Lonart | Bliss GVS | 20mg/120mg, 80mg/480mg | Tablet | B4-2341 |
| Lumartem | Cipla | 20mg/120mg, 40mg/240mg, 80mg/480mg | Tablet | A4-1523 |
| Amatem | Emzor | 20mg/120mg, 80mg/480mg | Tablet | A4-7812 |
How to Verify Your Artemether-Lumefantrine is Genuine
- 1Check for the NAFDAC registration number on the pack. Genuine products will have a NAFDAC number starting with a letter and number combination (e.g., A4-0891 for Coartem). You can verify this number on the NAFDAC website or by visiting a NAFDAC office.
- 2Look for the Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) scratch code on the pack. Scratch the panel and text the code to the number printed on the pack to confirm if the product is genuine.
- 3Buy from licensed pharmacies and reputable patent medicine stores. Avoid buying antimalarials from open markets, bus stops, or unregistered vendors, as counterfeit medicines are more common in such settings.
- 4Check the packaging for spelling errors, poor print quality, or missing information. Genuine products have clear printing, batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, and manufacturer details.
- 5Inspect the tablets themselves. Genuine Artemether-Lumefantrine tablets should have a consistent colour, shape, and size. If tablets look different from what you have used before, consult your pharmacist.
Artemether-Lumefantrine Price in Nigeria
Artemether-Lumefantrine prices in Nigeria typically range from ₦800 to ₦5,000 per pack, depending on the brand, strength, and where you buy it.
₦800 – ₦5,000
per pack
Prices vary by location and vendor. Last updated: 2026-02-01
Where to Buy
Purchase Artemether-Lumefantrine only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors. Avoid buying medicines from unverified sources, roadside vendors, or unregistered market stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control registered products database
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (23rd List, 2023)
- •British National Formulary (BNF)
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines