Drug interactions
Artemether / lumefantrine + Prednisone
Severity: Minor
Artemether / lumefantrine and Prednisone: minor 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
Artemether is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and prednisolone (the active form of prednisone) is a CYP3A4 substrate, so steroid exposure may fall slightly. Prednisone may also modestly affect artemether or lumefantrine levels. Clinically significant changes are unlikely with a short antimalarial course.
What this interaction means in plain words
Artemether / lumefantrine and Prednisone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Possible CYP3A4 induction by artemether affecting prednisolone clearance; effects on antimalarial levels are theoretical.
What to do
No routine dose change is needed for the short antimalarial course. Monitor clinical response to prednisone and treatment response to the antimalarial.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Artemether / lumefantrine and Prednisone, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Artemether / lumefantrine with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Artemether / lumefantrine and Prednisone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Artemether is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and prednisolone (the active form of prednisone) is a CYP3A4 substrate, so steroid exposure may fall slightly. Prednisone may also modestly affect artemether or lumefantrine levels. Clinically significant changes are unlikely with a short antimalarial course.
How serious is the interaction between Artemether / lumefantrine and Prednisone?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine dose change is needed for the short antimalarial course. Monitor clinical response to prednisone and treatment response to the antimalarial.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
