Artemether + Lumefantrine 80 mg + 480 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and children – the standard artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) in India; Mixed malaria infections (falciparum with vivax), along with primaquine for vivax as the doctor advises.
Listed MRPs range from ₹4.69 to ₹27.43 per tablet across 9 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artemether 80mg and Lumefantrine 480mg TabletsJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 6 | ₹28.13 | ₹4.69 | 19 October 2026 |
| Combither Forte | Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹136.04 | ₹13.60 | 19 October 2026 |
| Actizo | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 8 | ₹153.75 | ₹19.22 | 19 October 2026 |
| Falcirid | Flamingo Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 6 | ₹130.31 | ₹21.72 | 19 October 2026 |
| Maladex | BestoChem Formulations India Ltd | 6 | ₹132.34 | ₹22.06 | 19 October 2026 |
| R-Lume 80/480 | Impact Healthcare Pvt Ltd | 6 | ₹143.44 | ₹23.91 | 19 October 2026 |
| Falcinil LFx | Zuventus Healthcare Ltd | 6 | ₹160.72 | ₹26.79 | 19 October 2026 |
| Lumether 80 | Themis Medicare Ltd | 6 | ₹163.44 | ₹27.24 | 19 October 2026 |
| Lumerax 80 | Ipca Laboratories Ltd | 6 | ₹164.56 | ₹27.43 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and children – the standard artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) in India.
- Mixed malaria infections (falciparum with vivax), along with primaquine for vivax as the doctor advises.
- It is for treatment only – it does not prevent malaria.
How to take it
Take the tablets with food or a milky drink – fat greatly improves absorption and the medicine may fail if taken on an empty stomach. The adult course (80/480 mg strength) is one tablet at the start, a second tablet 8 hours later, then one tablet twice a day (morning and evening) for the next 2 days – a total of 6 doses over 3 days. Children get lower-strength tablets by weight. If you vomit within 1 to 2 hours of a dose, take another full dose; if vomiting continues, go to a hospital for injectable treatment. Complete all 6 doses even if the fever settles after the first day – stopping early causes relapse and drug resistance. Your doctor should repeat the blood smear to confirm the parasite has cleared. Go to hospital immediately for drowsiness, fits, breathlessness, yellow eyes, very dark urine or inability to keep fluids down – these are signs of severe malaria.
Side effects
Common
- Headache, dizziness.
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain.
- Weakness, tiredness, muscle and joint pain.
- Sleep problems, cough.
- Palpitations.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Abnormal or fast heartbeat, fainting – the drug can lengthen the heart's QT interval.
- Severe allergic reaction – rash, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing.
- Fever and parasites returning after treatment – treatment failure or resistance; needs a repeat blood test.
- Rarely, delayed anaemia 1 to 3 weeks after treatment.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol during the 3-day course – it worsens nausea and dehydration while you are unwell.
Pregnancy
Avoid in the first 3 months of pregnancy unless your doctor decides no alternative is suitable; it is used in the second and third trimesters. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Kidney problems
Use with caution in severe kidney disease; tell your doctor.
Liver problems
Use with caution in severe liver disease; tell your doctor.
Children
Used in children above 5 kg body weight with weight-based dosing (lower-strength paediatric tablets or dispersible forms); the 80/480 mg tablet is for adults and older children above 35 kg.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember with food and continue the remaining doses at the usual gaps. Never double up. Missing doses risks treatment failure.
Interactions
- Medicines that prolong the QT interval – antiarrhythmics (amiodarone), some antipsychotics, antidepressants, domperidone, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, azole antifungals (ketoconazole) – risk of dangerous heart rhythm.
- Other antimalarials – quinine, mefloquine, halofantrine – must not overlap without a doctor; primaquine for vivax is fine.
- Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St John's wort – lower the drug levels and may cause treatment failure.
- HIV medicines (efavirenz, nevirapine, lopinavir) – change drug levels; tell your doctor.
- Hormonal contraceptives – may be less reliable during and shortly after treatment; use condoms for the rest of the cycle.
- Grapefruit juice – raises drug levels; avoid during the course.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lumerax 80 used for?
Lumerax 80 contains artemether 80 mg and lumefantrine 480 mg, an artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) for uncomplicated falciparum malaria – the dangerous type common during and after the monsoon. It kills the malaria parasite quickly; it is not for prevention.
How many Lumerax tablets do I take and for how many days?
Adults over 35 kg take 6 doses over 3 days: one tablet at the start, one 8 hours later, then one twice a day for 2 more days. Always with food or milk. Finish all 6 doses even if the fever is gone, and get a repeat blood smear to confirm the parasite has cleared.
Why must artemether-lumefantrine be taken with food?
Lumefantrine is absorbed poorly without fat – taking it on an empty stomach can reduce absorption so much that the treatment fails. Take each dose with a meal, milk or a fatty snack.
What should I do if I vomit after a dose?
If you vomit within 1 to 2 hours of the dose, take another full dose. If you cannot keep tablets down, go to a hospital – severe malaria with vomiting needs injectable artesunate, not more tablets.
Is Lumerax safe in pregnancy?
It is avoided in the first trimester unless there is no alternative, and used in the second and third trimesters. Malaria in pregnancy is dangerous for mother and baby, so a pregnant woman with fever must see a doctor urgently rather than self-treat.
Can I take Lumerax to prevent malaria?
No. Artemether-lumefantrine is for treatment only. For prevention use mosquito nets, repellents and, if your doctor advises for travel, a separate preventive medicine.
What if fever comes back after completing the course?
Fever returning within 4 weeks can mean treatment failure, resistance, or a vivax relapse. Get a repeat blood smear or rapid test straight away – do not just repeat the same tablets on your own.
Do I also need primaquine with Lumerax?
For falciparum malaria, a single dose of primaquine is usually added to stop transmission. If vivax is also present, a 14-day primaquine course is needed to clear liver forms. Your doctor decides and may test for G6PD deficiency first.
Can I take paracetamol and ORS with Lumerax?
Yes. Paracetamol for fever and ORS or plenty of fluids for dehydration are recommended. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, and avoid grapefruit juice during the course.
Is Lumerax available without prescription in India?
No. Artemether-lumefantrine is a Schedule H medicine and malaria must be confirmed by a blood test before treatment; government health centres provide ACT free under the national malaria programme.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Artemether and Lumefantrine (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms