A patient who has contracted falciparum malaria has received a prescription for artemether/lumefantrine [Coartem] and tells the nurse she thinks she may be pregnant. What will the nurse tell this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Artemether/lumefantrine has undergone premarketing studies in pregnant women with no adverse effects, but all of the women were in their third trimester, but, since animal studies have demonstrated teratogenesis, is Pregnancy Risk Category C. The nurse should advise her to discuss another medication with her provider. Only the artemether component is not recommended as a single drug. Taking the medication with food does not prevent nausea. It is not known whether the drug is safe during the first trimester.

A Patient Who Has Contracted Falciparum Malaria Has Received a Prescription