Drug General Information (ID: DDI3OLW86D)
Drug Name			Mefloquine		Drug Info		Lumefantrine		Drug Info
Drug Type		Small molecule				Small molecule
Therapeutic Class		Antimalarial Agents				Antimalarial Agents
Structure

Mechanism of Mefloquine-Lumefantrine Interaction (Severity Level: Major)
Increased risk of prolong QT interval Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Drug Name		Mefloquine				Lumefantrine
Mechanism		Prolong QT interval				Prolong QT interval
Key Mechanism Factor 1
		Factor Name		QT interval
		Factor Description		Long QT syndrome is a heart signaling disorder that can cause a fast, chaotic heartbeat (arrhythmia). Many people may not exhibit symptoms, and usually the condition is detected during routine medical tests. In others, the most common symptoms include: sudden fainting, palpitations, dizziness, seizures, sudden death.
Mechanism Description		Increased risk of prolong QT interval by the combination of Mefloquine and Lumefantrine

Recommended Action
Management		Coadministration of artemether-lumefantrine with other drugs that can prolong the QT interval should be avoided. Moreover, artemether-lumefantrine should generally not be used in combination with other antimalarial agents due to limited safety data. Caution and close monitoring of the ECG are advised when QT-prolonging antimalarial agents are used following treatment with artemether-lumefantrine because of the long elimination half-life of lumefantrine (3 to 6 days). Patients should be monitored for reduced antimalarial efficacy if artemether-lumefantrine is prescribed immediately after mefloquine treatment, and food consumption should be encouraged at dosing times to compensate for the decrease in lumefantrine bioavailability. Patients should also be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References
1	Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information.".
2	Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics.".
3	Product Information. Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine). Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ.