Lonart Ds Tab is an anti-malaria medication made up of Artemether and Lumefantrine. The combination of artemether and lumefantrine is used to treat certain kinds of malaria infections (a serious infection that is spread by mosquitoes in many parts of the world and especially Nigeria where Malaria kills an average of 300,000 people yearly according to the Nigerian malaria journal.
The importance of artemisinin and its derivatives was recognized by the WHO Expert Committee on Essential Drugs. Artemisinins were first available as monotherapy. However, monotherapy must be adhered to for at least five days, but often seven days. In practice, adherence to these relatively long treatment regimens is low. This behavior may result in late recrudescence and in developing resistance. Therefore, the WHO recommended the use of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACT’s). These ACT’s have several distinct advantages in that:
(1) they produce rapid clinical and parasitological cure;
(2) there is as yet no documented parasite resistance to them and resistance to the combinations is most unlikely to occur;
(3) they reduce gametocyte carrier rates and
(4) they are generally well tolerated
In Nigeria, Lonart is imported and marketed in by Greenlife Pharmaceuticals one of Nigeria’s foremost pharmaceutical company leading the charge towards malaria eradication in Africa.
Who should not take Lonart Ds Tab?
You should not take Lonart if you are ;
- If you are allergic to Artemether and Lumefantrine or any of the ingredient of this medicine
- If you have a serious malarial infection with impaired body functions like difficulty in breathing, fits, kidney brain and liver-related problems
- If you have a family history of heart disease
- If you are taking medicines such as Flecainide, Metoprolol, Imipramine, Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Terfenadine, Astemizole or Cisapride
- If you have heart disease like irregular heart rhythm or heart failure
- If you have an imbalance of electrolytes in your body due to fluid loss.
What are the side effects of Lonart Ds Tab?
The side effects of Lonart Ds tab include;
- Low appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, nausea and diarrhoea
- Headache, dizziness and sleeplessness
- Tingling or pricking sensation
- Unusual muscle movements, joint pain and fatigue
- Pounding and irregular heartbeat
- Skin disorders like rashes or itching
- Difficulty in walking properly and lack of energy
- Cough.
Precautions and Warnings on Lonart Ds Tab
Pregnancy
Q: Can I take Lonart Ds Tab during pregnancy?
A: This medicine is known to cause or suspected to cause harmful effects on the developing fetus, thus not recommended for use in pregnant women. However, doctors may give this medicine to a pregnant women under critical situations where alternate antimalarial medicine is not able to treat the condition. SEE MORE ON: Can A Pregnant or Breast feeding Woman Take Lonart
Breast Feeding
Q: Can I take Lonart Ds Tab while breastfeeding?
A: It is advised not to breastfeed your baby during the treatment with this medicine. You have to wait for at least for 1 week post-treatment to start breastfeeding again.
Driving
Q: Can I drive if I have consumed Lonart Ds Tab?
A: This medicine makes you feel sleepy, dizzy and weak. Thus, it is advised not to drive when you are taking this medicine.
Alcohol
Q: Can I consume alcohol with Lonart Ds Tab?
A: Any specific information on the use of alcohol along with this medicine is not available. However, consuming alcohol may aggravate some of the side effects of this medicine like stomach problems and mental disturbances. Thus, it is advised not to consume alcohol during treatment.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if;
If you have a family history of irregular heartbeat or sudden death due to heart problems
If you have heart disorders like irregular heartbeat, slow heart rate, etc.
If you are taking any other medicine to treat malaria like Quinine or Mefloquine, special medical observation is required
Your existing disease condition gets worsened after taking this medicine, immediate attention of a doctor is required
If you are an HIV positive patient and taking medicines to treat HIV
If you are using pills as contraceptive measures, you need to use alternative method of contraception like condoms at least for a month
If you have serious kidney and liver function problems
How Does It Work?
This medicine kills a malarial parasite called plasmodium.
Directions for Use of Lonart Ds Tab
It should be taken as directed by your doctor preferably with food, beverage containing milk or with water. In case you vomit within 1 hour of taking this medicine, take another dose. READ: Can I Take Malaria Drugs With Antibiotics?
Interactions of Lonart Ds Tab
Never take medicines like Clarithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Fluconazole, Terfenadine, Flecainide, Cisapride with Lonart Ds Tab as it can lead to serious heart problems
Medicines like Metoprolol, Imipramine, Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, anti-malarial medicines like Mefloquine, Quinine should not be taken with this medicine
If you have taken Lonart Ds Tab, Rifampin, Carbamazepine and Phenytoin should not be taken for at least one month
Medicines used to treat HIV infection (antiretroviral) like Ritonavir, Nevirapine or Efavirenz
You should not take this medicine if you have taken Halofantrine – an anti-malarial medicine, within a month
This medicine interferes with the way oral contraceptive medication work. Thus it is advised to use alternative physical contraceptive measures like condoms during the treatment and at least one month…
Antifungal medicines like Ketoconazole
Interactions with food items
Grapefruit juice should be avoided during the treatment.
Storage and disposal of Lonart Ds Tab
Store below 30°C.
Keep it out of the reach of children
Overdose
There are no reported symptoms observed with the overdose of this medicine. In case of an overdose, contact your doctor or reach out to your nearest hospital as soon as possible. Try to carry the pack…
Missed a Dose
It would be best if you don’t miss a dose of anti-malarial medicine as it may lead to treatment failure
If you have missed any dose of medicine, take it as soon as you remember
If it’s already the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule
Never take a double dose of medicine to compensate for the missed one.
