Lumefantrine is an antimalarial agent used in combination with artemether for the treatment of acute uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum and unidentified Plasmodium species, including infections acquired in chloroquine-resistant areas. It is thought that administration of lumefantrine with artemether results in cooperate antimalarial clearing effects. Artemether has a rapid onset of action and is rapidly cleared from the body. It is thus thought to provide rapid symptomatic relief by reducing the number of malarial parasites. Lumefantrine has a much longer half life and is believed to clear residual parasites. The exact mechanism by which lumefantrine exerts its antimalarial effect is unknown. However, available data suggest that lumefantrine inhibits the formation of β-hematin by forming a complex with hemin and inhibits nucleic acid and protein synthesis, as well as causing the accumulation of toxic heme.

Lumefantrine Pathway References