Halofantrine Hydrochloride, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: halofantrine hydrochloride, oral; Halfan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat mild to moderate malaria.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more medicine than prescribed.

Take this medicine on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food or meals.

People who have had no previous exposure or only very slight exposure to malaria are considered to be nonimmune. If you are nonimmune, you may have two courses of treatment. The second course of treatment will start 7 days after you finish the first course.

People who are lifelong residents of malaria-prone areas and who have a recent history of malaria may be considered to be semi-immune. If you are semi-immune, your health care provider may decide that you do not need the second course of treatment.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may make you dizzy or confused. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can think clearly.

There is a slight chance that this medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and you could sunburn more easily. Discuss this with your health care provider.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Any irregular or unusual heartbeat or chest pain.

Other: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dizziness, headache.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• mefloquine (Lariam). Do not take mefloquine with or directly after treatment with this medicine (halofantrine).

Other medicines that affect the heart can interact with this medicine and cause heart problems.

Taking this medicine with high-fat meals may increase its serious side effects. Take this medicine on an empty stomach.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.