Frequently Asked Questions

for Sumether-Plus Tablet and Suspension

Q1. How Do I Take Sumether Plus Suspension?

DOSAGE IN CHILDREN FOR SUMETHER PLUS SUSPENSION.

Q2. Sometimes the first dose is given late in the afternoon. Can the patient wait until the next morning to take their second dose?

It is important that the patient does not miss out the second dose on Day 1 of treatment. They should take the second dose before they go to sleep at night or be woken at the right time to take the second dose.

Q3. Do Sumether-Plus Tablets and suspension need to be taken with food?

Sumether-Plus should be taken with food or drinks rich in fat such as milk, as this improves absorption of artemether and lumefantrine. During a study in Africa, a standard African diet (with fat content ranging between 30 and 60 g/day) or breast milk was shown to be adequate.

Q4. Do I continue the dose if I vomit immediately after taking Sumether-Plus?

You may vomit soon after you take the medication. If you vomit within 1 to 2 hours after you take artemether and lumefantrine, you should take another full dose of artemether and lumefantrine. If you vomit again after taking the extra dose, call your doctor.

Q5. What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Q6. Can I take Sumether-Plus while pregnant or nursing?

Sumether-Plus containing Artemether/ Lumefantrine is safe and effective for pregnant women, nursing mothers and infants.

Q7. How is Sumether-Plus administered?

Sumether-Plus tablet is taken twice a day with a fatty meal for 3 days (6 doses) or as directed by your doctor. On your first day of treatment, take your first dose with food, followed by your second dose 8 hours later. Then each day for the next 2 days, take one dose in the morning and one dose in the evening.

Q8. What If I Still have Malaria after 3 days of Treatment?

Please consult your doctor if you still have symptoms of Malaria after 3 days of treatment. A lot of ailments may present as Malaria but may not be actually Malaria. Your doctor can determine of you have Malaria or If your body is resistant to Atemether/lumefantrine.

Q9. How do I prepare the Suspension?

PREPARATION OF ORAL SUSPENSION:

Add recently boiled and cooled water to the bottle and carefully bring it to the mark indicating 60ml level. When adding water, the mixture turns yellow. After adding the water, shake the mixture vigorously until all the powder disappears. This oral suspension is stable for several days.

Shake well before use.

An intensive cure of 3 days is recommended.

Second dose to be taken strictly after 8 hours of first dose.

After each dose eat or drink something or take fatty meal.

If there is vomiting within one hour of taking sumether, repeat the dose.

Q10. What If I have severe Malaria?

The WHO recommends that patients with severe Malaria be started on IV Artesunate or IM Sumether Injection and continued until such a time patient is able to tolerate food or oral medications for at least two days and then be continued on full course oral ACT like Sumether-Plus

Q11. What If I encounter Treatment Failure?

Treatment failure within 14 days of receiving ACT like Sumether-Plus is very rare. The WHO recommends that treatment failure within 2 weeks of taking ACT should be treated with a second line agent as:

Artesunate plus Tetracycline or Doxycycline (cyclodox) or Clindamycin for 7 days or
Quinine plus Tetracycline or Doxycycline (Cyclodox) or Clindamycin for 7 days

Treatment failure after 14 days may be treated with the same agent as this may be new infection or insufficient treatment or treatment with sub standard medication.

Q12. What is ACT

ACT stands for Artemisinin Combination Therapy.