Drug interactions
Artemether / lumefantrine + Cyclosporin
Severity: Moderate
Artemether / lumefantrine and Cyclosporin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs are CYP3A4 substrates, and artemether may weakly induce CYP3A4 while cyclosporine can raise lumefantrine levels. Cyclosporine concentrations may fall, risking rejection, while lumefantrine exposure may rise with QT prolongation concerns.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artemether / lumefantrine and Cyclosporin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Competing CYP3A4 metabolism with possible weak induction by artemether and inhibition by cyclosporine.
What to do
Monitor cyclosporine trough levels during and after the antimalarial course and adjust the dose accordingly. Check ECG if other QT-prolonging drugs are present.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Artemether / lumefantrine with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Artemether / lumefantrine and Cyclosporin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs are CYP3A4 substrates, and artemether may weakly induce CYP3A4 while cyclosporine can raise lumefantrine levels. Cyclosporine concentrations may fall, risking rejection, while lumefantrine exposure may rise with QT prolongation concerns.
How serious is the interaction between Artemether / lumefantrine and Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor cyclosporine trough levels during and after the antimalarial course and adjust the dose accordingly. Check ECG if other QT-prolonging drugs are present.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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