Riamet Dispersible Tablets (Artemether And Lumefantrine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Riamet Dispersible Tablets Used For?
Riamet Dispersible Tablets are antimalarial medicines specifically designed to treat malaria infections in children and infants.
Primary Uses
Used to treat sudden, uncomplicated malaria caused by a parasite called Plasmodium falciparum. It is prescribed for children and infants weighing between 5kg and less than 35kg and aged between 3 months up to 12 years.
How It Works
Malaria is an infectious disease spread by infected Anopheles mosquitoes. The mosquito carries the parasite and injects it into the bloodstream when it bites. Riamet Dispersible Tablets help to kill the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, treating symptoms like fever, chills, headache, and feeling sick.
How to Take Riamet Dispersible Tablets
Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your child’s weight. The treatment consists of 6 doses given over 60 hours (2.5 days).
Dosage Instructions
Dosing by weight: 5kg to less than 15kg: 1 tablet per dose; 15kg to less than 25kg: 2 tablets per dose; 25kg to less than 35kg: 3 tablets per dose. Schedule: Dose 1 – as soon as possible after diagnosis; Dose 2 – 8 hours after first dose; Doses 3-6 – twice daily (morning and evening) for the next two days. Place tablets in approximately 10mL water per tablet, allow to dissolve, stir gently, and give to child. Rinse glass with additional 10mL water and have child drink completely. Follow immediately with food or drinks rich in fat (like milk).
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember, then give the next dose at the usual time. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule. Never give a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Important: Do not exceed the dose advised by your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if your child vomits within one hour of taking the dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Itching
- Decreased appetite
- Tiredness
- Hives
- Sleepiness
- Cough
- Rash
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Unusual weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Pain in stomach
- Diarrhea
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Stomach pain with yellowing of skin or eyes
- Light-colored stools
- Fevers, chills, body aches, sore throat, coughing
- Excessive bleeding or bruising
- Weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath
- Fast or irregular heart beats
- Involuntary muscle contractions, twisting or repetitive movements
- Abnormal postures
- Fever with fatigue, rash, weight loss
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Riamet Dispersible Tablets should not be used or require special caution.
Who Should Not Take Riamet Dispersible Tablets
Do not use if your child is allergic to Artemether, lumefantrine, or any ingredients; has severe malaria affecting brain, kidneys, or lungs; has heart diseases or heart function problems; has symptoms of low potassium (muscle weakness, constipation, extreme tiredness) or low magnesium (weakness, cramps, tremors).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if your child has liver or kidney problems, heart problems, severe heart disease, heart rhythm problems, or any family history of heart problems. Your doctor may recommend blood tests to monitor potassium levels or suggest an ECG during treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not give to pregnant children or during the first trimester. Use only in later pregnancy if clearly indicated by doctor. If your daughter takes hormonal birth control, she should use additional contraception during treatment. Do not give while breastfeeding – wait at least 4 weeks after the last dose before resuming breastfeeding.
Allergic Reactions: Watch for signs of allergic reactions including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts, rash, or hives. Contact your doctor immediately if these occur.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Riamet Dispersible Tablets and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines your child is taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid giving grapefruit juice to your child during treatment with Riamet Dispersible Tablets.
- Other antimalarial drugs (mefloquine, quinine, halofantrine)
- Anti-retroviral medicines or protease inhibitors for HIV/AIDS
- Heart rhythm medications (flecainide, metoprolol)
- Depression medications (imipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine)
- Rifampicin (antibiotic for leprosy or tuberculosis)
- Epilepsy medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin)
- St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Triazole antifungal medicines (fluconazole, itraconazole)
- Certain antibiotics (macrolides, fluoroquinolones, imidazole)
- Stomach medications (cisapride)
- Non-sedating antihistamines (terfenadine, astemizole)
Alcohol & Driving
Riamet Dispersible Tablets may cause dizziness or unusual weakness in some children, which can affect their ability to perform activities safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned for this pediatric medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not let your child do anything that could be dangerous, as Riamet Dispersible Tablets may cause dizziness or unusual weakness. Be careful before driving or using any machines or tools until you know how the medication affects your child.
Storage
Store below 30°C and protect from moisture. Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to a pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have given too many Riamet Dispersible Tablets to your child, they may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The treatment consists of 6 doses given over 60 hours (2.5 days). Your child should start feeling better as the medication kills the malaria parasite, but it’s important to complete the full course even if symptoms improve.
Yes, the tablets should be immediately followed by food or drinks rich in fat, such as milk. This helps with absorption of the medication.
Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately if your child vomits within one hour of taking the dose, as they may need to take another dose.
No, do not suddenly stop giving this medicine to your child. It’s important to complete all 6 doses over the 60-hour period to ensure the malaria parasite is completely eliminated.
Place the tablet(s) in a glass with approximately 10mL of water per tablet. Allow them to dissolve, stir gently, and give to your child. Then rinse the glass with another 10mL of water and have your child drink that too.
You should still give your child Riamet Dispersible Tablets as prescribed, even if they are too unwell to eat or drink. However, contact your doctor if your child is too unwell to eat or drink, or if their condition worsens.
Avoid giving grapefruit juice to your child during treatment with Riamet Dispersible Tablets, as it can interfere with how the medication works.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.