Halofantrine

Halofantrine is used in the treatment of:

• Malaria, Falciparum
• Malaria, Vivax

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Halofantrine may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Halfan

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• AZITHROMYCIN/HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
• BEDAQUILINE/HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
• CITALOPRAM/HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
• CLARITHROMYCIN/HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
• CRIZOTINIB/HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
• ERYTHROMYCIN/HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
• HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE/MEFLOQUINE
• HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE/PASIREOTIDE
• HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE/POSACONAZOLE
• HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE/SAQUINAVIR
• HALOFANTRINE HYDROCHLORIDE/TOREMIFENE CITRATE

This is not a complete list of Halofantrinedrug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Halofantrine falls into category C:

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans, though. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

OR

There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Halofantrine should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

OR

No studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Halofantrine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Halofantrine is available in the following forms:

• Oral Tablet

Halofantrine is best taken on an empty stomach to decrease the chance of side effects.

To help clear up your infection completely, take halofantrine exactly as directed by your doctor for the full time of treatment. Your symptoms may come back if you stop your treatment too early. Your doctor may instruct you to take a second course of treatment after 1 week.

Dosing

The dose of halofantrine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of halofantrine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (oral suspension and tablets):
  • Adults and children over 37 kilograms (81 pounds) of body weight—500 mg, taken on an empty stomach every six hours three times a day for one day. Treatment may need to be repeated after one week.
  • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Treatment may need to be repeated after one week.
    • Up to 23 kilograms (51 pounds) of body weight: Dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • 23 to 31 kilograms (51 to 68 pounds) of body weight: 250 mg, taken on an empty stomach every six hours three times a day for one day.
    • 32 to 37 kilograms (70 to 81 pounds) of body weight: 375 mg, taken on an empty stomach every six hours three times a day for one day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of halofantrine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Keep the liquid form of halofantrine from freezing.