# Artemether-Lumefantrine in Nigeria

Artemether-Lumefantrine has 289 active NAFDAC registrations in our October 2026 copy of the register, from 179 registration holders; 154 further listings have lapsed.

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/artemether-lumefantrine/
- Drug class: Antimalarial (Artemisinin combination) (Antimalarials)
- Also known as: Coartem, Lonart, AL
- Prescription required: no
- On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- Last updated: October 2026

## Price in Nigeria

As of October 2026, Artemether-Lumefantrine tablets sell for about ₦592 per tablet online in Nigeria (packs ₦1,000–₦8,150; Amatem, Lonart) at HealthPlus and MedPlus. The online price is down 2% since July 2026. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

## 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 patent-medicine store in Nigeria, as tablets for adults and older children, dispersible tablets and suspensions for younger children, and soft-gel capsules. Our October 2026 copy of the NAFDAC register lists 443 artemether-lumefantrine products, 289 of them with Active registrations — the most of any medicine on this site — from Greenlife (Lonart, Lonart-DS), Phillips (Lumartem), Elbe Pharma (Amatem, Amatem Forte), World Wide Commercial Ventures (Combisunate) and well over a hundred other holders. Coartem, Novartis's original and still the name most people say, is the exception: all three Coartem registrations in our copy (04-3275, A4-1680 and B4-0262) are recorded Inactive, their terms having run out in March 2026 without a renewal recorded by the time our copy was taken. That is a renewal matter for the holder, not a verdict on a pack — but a Coartem pack should be checked by its printed number, and a buyer who cannot find current Coartem has four hundred registered alternatives. Sold over the counter, it should still be taken only after a positive malaria test.

## What is Artemether-Lumefantrine 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

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- 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: Headache; Dizziness; Nausea and loss of appetite; Abdominal pain; Joint and muscle pain; Fatigue and weakness; Sleep disturbances; Palpitations (feeling your heart beat).

Serious (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

Do not take if: 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.

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.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Lonart (Greenlife Pharmaceutical, made in India); Lonart-DS (Greenlife Pharmaceutical, made in India); Lumartem (Phillips Pharmaceuticals, made in India); Amatem Forte (Elbe Pharma, made in India); Combisunate (World Wide Commercial Ventures Ltd, made in India); Coartem (Novartis, made in Turkey); Coartem Dispersible (Novartis, made in Turkey); Amatem (Elbe Pharma, made in India); Amatem Forte Soft Gel (Elbe Pharma, made in India).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/artemether-lumefantrine/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the pack. In our October 2026 copy of the register Lonart (04-8969), Lonart-DS (04-9927), Lumartem (A4-4845), Amatem Forte (A4-3489) and Combisunate (A4-5551) are Active, while the three Coartem registrations (04-3275, A4-1680, B4-0262) and Amatem soft-gel (B4-0953) are recorded Inactive — confirm those on the official Greenbook before relying on them
2. Enter the number in our free NAFDAC checker and confirm the product name, strength and holder match the pack. Artemether-lumefantrine is the most counterfeited medicine in Nigeria, so a number that resolves to a different product or strength is a pack to refuse
3. Look 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.
4. Buy 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.
5. Check 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.
6. Inspect 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.

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### Is Artemether-Lumefantrine NAFDAC approved?

Yes — more widely than any other medicine. Our October 2026 copy of the NAFDAC register lists 443 artemether-lumefantrine products with 289 Active registrations, including Lonart (04-8969), Lonart-DS (04-9927), Lumartem (A4-4845), Amatem Forte (A4-3489) and Combisunate (A4-5551). Coartem's three registrations are recorded Inactive in our copy since March 2026. Check the number on your own pack in our NAFDAC checker.

### Does Artemether-Lumefantrine completely cure malaria?

Yes, when taken correctly and the full 3-day course is completed, Artemether-Lumefantrine has a cure rate of over 95% for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which is the most common type of malaria in Nigeria. However, you must complete all 6 doses over 3 days and take them with food for the best results. If you stop taking the medication early because you feel better, the malaria parasites may not be fully cleared and the infection can return. If your symptoms persist or return after completing treatment, go back to the hospital for re-evaluation.

### Can I buy Artemether-Lumefantrine without a prescription in Nigeria?

Yes, Artemether-Lumefantrine is classified as an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine in Nigeria and can be purchased without a prescription at pharmacies and patent medicine stores. However, it is strongly recommended that you confirm you have malaria before taking it, either through a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) or a blood film microscopy test. Many pharmacies and even some patent medicine stores now offer rapid malaria testing. Taking antimalarials without a confirmed diagnosis wastes money and may contribute to drug resistance.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)