Halofantrine Oral
Generic Name: HALOFANTRINE - ORALPronounced: (hal-oh-FAN-treen)
Halofantrine Oral Uses
This medication is used to treat a mild to moderate parasite infection of the red blood cells (malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum or P. vivax). Another drug may be used with halofantrine for some forms of malaria. Halofantrine belongs to a class of drugs known as antimalarials. It works by killing the form of the malaria parasite that infects the red blood cells.
How To Use Halofantrine Oral
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take it by mouth without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating). Do not take with food because doing so may cause increased side effects.
If you have never had malaria before, halofantrine is usually given in 2 treatment steps. For the first step, take this medication usually every 6 hours for a total of 3 doses. Seven days later, this procedure is repeated. If you have lived in a malaria area most of your life and have had a recent attack of malaria, your doctor may not direct you to take the second step of treatment.
Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take this drug at evenly spaced intervals during each treatment step. To help you remember, set a timer for every 6 hours. If your doctor directs you to take a second treatment step, mark a calendar to help you remember to start it.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed. Do not stop taking it before completing this prescription unless directed to do so by your doctor, even if you feel better. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of parasite to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens during or after the first treatment step. If you get a fever after completing treatment, contact your doctor so that he/she can determine if the malaria has returned.
