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What is the brand name for artemether and lumefantrine tablets?

In the pharmaceutical industry, the combination of Artemether and Lumefantrine is the global “gold standard” for Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT). As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I view this combination as the most critical asset for any firm exporting to malaria-endemic regions.

While the innovator brand is globally recognized, the Indian pharmaceutical sector provides the majority of the world’s high-quality generic versions for the public and private sectors.

Primary Brand Names

Category Brand Names Manufacturer
Global Innovator Coartem, Riamet Novartis
Leading Indian Brands Lumet, Lumerax, Combither, Falcinil-LF Cipla, Ipca, Aristo, Zuventus
Common Generic Export Brands Artefan, Lumart, Arh L, Falcynate-LF Ajanta Pharma, Lincoln Pharma, various

Formulations & Strengths

At your WHO-GMP facility in Mumbai, you likely deal with three primary strengths, which are essential for correct weight-based dosing in pediatric and adult populations:

Standard Strength (20/120): 20 mg Artemether + 120 mg Lumefantrine (Yellow, round, scored tablets).

Forte Strength (80/480): 80 mg Artemether + 480 mg Lumefantrine (High-strength to reduce pill burden for adults).

Dispersible Tablets: Specifically designed for infants and children; these dissolve rapidly in a small amount of water or milk.

The Pharmacist’s “Technical Warning”

  • The “Fatty Meal” Rule: Lumefantrine is highly lipophilic. Patients must take the tablets with food or a drink rich in fat (like milk). Taking it on an empty stomach can reduce absorption by up to 90%, potentially leading to treatment failure.

  • QT Prolongation Risk: As we discussed, this combination can prolong the QT interval. It must be avoided with other QT-prolonging drugs like Levofloxacin, Amiodarone, or Halofantrine.

  • The 1-Hour Vomit Rule: If a patient vomits within one hour of taking the dose, they must repeat the full dose immediately to ensure therapeutic levels are reached.

The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export

From a production and B2B standpoint at your facility:

  • The “Infant Design” Trend: In 2025–2026, regulators (like Swissmedic) have approved specialized cherry-flavored dispersible versions for infants under 4.5 kg. Developing these can give your marketplace a unique technical edge.

  • Stability for Export: Artemether is sensitive to heat. Utilizing Alu-Alu blister packaging is mandatory to ensure a 36-month shelf life in tropical Zone IVb regions.

  • Dossier Support: We provide full CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm’s registration in international tenders (UNICEF, Global Fund), which prioritize WHO-prequalified manufacturers.

Artemether & Lumefantrine Tablets