Riamet (Artemether And Lumefantrine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Riamet Used For?
Riamet is an antimalarial medication that contains two active ingredients: artemether and lumefantrine. It’s specifically designed to treat malaria infections caused by a particular parasite.
Primary Uses
Riamet is used to treat sudden, uncomplicated malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. It’s approved for adults, adolescents, and children weighing 35 kg or more, or over 12 years of age. Malaria is an infectious disease spread by infected Anopheles mosquitoes that inject parasites into your bloodstream when they bite.
How It Works
Riamet works by killing the Plasmodium falciparum parasite in your blood. The combination of artemether and lumefantrine attacks the parasite at different stages, helping to clear the infection from your system.
Important: Do not use Riamet for other types of malaria or as a preventive measure – it’s only for treating confirmed Plasmodium falciparum infections.
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How to Take Riamet
Riamet must be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The treatment involves taking 6 doses over 3 days, with specific timing between doses.
Dosage Instructions
Take 6 doses of 4 tablets each over 3 days (24 tablets total). Schedule: 1st dose as soon as possible after diagnosis, 2nd dose 8 hours later, 3rd dose 24 hours after the first, 4th dose 36 hours after the first, 5th dose 48 hours after the first, and 6th dose 60 hours after the first. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water or drinks rich in fat like milk. Take immediately after food when possible. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking tablets, take a repeat dose.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then continue with your prescribed schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Critical: Do not miss any doses and complete the full 6-dose treatment even if you start feeling better.
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:
- Tingling or numbness of hands or feet
- Pins and needles sensation
- Sleep problems
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Joint pain
- Back pain
- Itching
- Rash
- Fever
- Unusual weakness
- Tiredness
- Hives
- Sleepiness
- Stomach pain
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Sore throat
- Coughing
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Fever, weakness, abnormal paleness, dizziness, confusion
- Yellowing of skin and/or eyes with fever, chills, dark urine
- Severe headache, dizziness, vision problems
- Excessive bleeding or bruising
- Fast or irregular heartbeats
- Heart rhythm problems with dizziness, fainting, seizure
- Red/brown colored urine with fatigue and stomach pain
- Clumsiness and lack of coordination affecting balance, walking, or speech
- Muscle spasms, pulsing, tightness, and pain
Important Warnings
Riamet has several important contraindications and warnings that you must discuss with your doctor before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take Riamet
Do not take Riamet if you’re allergic to artemether, lumefantrine, or any ingredients; have severe malaria; suffer from heart diseases or heart function problems; have a family history of heart rate problems or sudden death; have symptoms of low potassium (muscle weakness, constipation, extreme tiredness) or low magnesium (weakness, cramps, tremors).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, heart problems, history of heart attack, or any other medical conditions. Your doctor may need to monitor your blood potassium levels or perform an ECG during treatment.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Riamet if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant. Do not use during the first trimester. Use effective contraception during treatment and until your next menstruation. If taking hormonal birth control, use an additional method. Do not breastfeed during treatment – wait at least four weeks after your last dose before resuming breastfeeding.
Heart Warning: Riamet can affect heart rhythm. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience fast or irregular heartbeats, dizziness, fainting, or seizures.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Riamet and affect how it works. Some combinations are dangerous and must be avoided.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid grapefruit juice during treatment with Riamet tablets.
- Other antimalarial medicines (mefloquine, quinine, halofantrine)
- Anti-retroviral medicines or protease inhibitors for HIV/AIDS
- Heart rhythm medications (flecainide, metoprolol)
- Antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline, clomipramine)
- Rifampicin (antibiotic for leprosy/tuberculosis)
- Epilepsy medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin)
- St John’s wort
- Triazole antifungal medicines (fluconazole, itraconazole)
- Certain antibiotics (macrolides, fluoroquinolones, imidazole)
- Cisapride for stomach problems
- Non-sedating antihistamines (terfenadine, astemizole)
Alcohol & Driving
Riamet can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with other substances.
Alcohol
The source does not specifically mention alcohol interactions with Riamet. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption during treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Riamet may cause dizziness or unusual weakness in some people. Do not drive or use machines if you experience these symptoms. Be careful before driving or using any machines or tools until you know how Riamet affects you.
Storage
Store Riamet below 30°C in the original blister pack until it’s time to take a dose. 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 out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too many Riamet tablets, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if you have no symptoms of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Riamet treatment takes 3 days to complete (6 doses over 60 hours). You should start feeling better as the medication kills the malaria parasites, but it’s crucial to complete the full course even if symptoms improve.
Yes, you should take Riamet immediately after food whenever possible, as this improves absorption. If you’re too unwell to eat, still take the tablets, but try to eat normally as soon as you can tolerate food.
If you vomit within 1 hour of taking Riamet tablets, take a repeat dose. This ensures you get the full medication needed to treat the malaria infection.
No, never stop taking Riamet suddenly or before completing all 6 doses. You must complete the full 3-day treatment course to ensure the malaria parasites are completely eliminated from your system.
Yes, Riamet may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. If you’re using hormonal birth control pills, patches, or other systemic hormonal contraceptives, you should use an additional method of birth control during treatment and until your next menstruation.
No, do not take Riamet if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant. It should not be used during the first trimester and only in later pregnancy if clearly indicated by your doctor after discussing risks and benefits.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue with your prescribed schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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.