Pronunciation: ha-loe-FAN-trin
Generic Name: Halofantrine
Brand Name: Halfan
Halfan has caused serious, even fatal, heart problems (eg, ventricular arrhythmias), even at the recommended dose. Halfan is not recommended for use while other medicines known to cause heart problems (eg, prolonged QT interval) are being used, nor in people who have a history of heart problems or have had unexplained fainting episodes. Your doctor will monitor you closely while you are using Halfan.
Halfan is used for:
Treating malaria in patients who can tolerate oral medicine.
Halfan is an antimalarial agent. How it works is not fully understood.
Do NOT use Halfan if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Halfan
- you have a family history of congenital QT interval prolongation
- you are taking cisapride or ziprasidone
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Halfan:
Some medical conditions may interact with Halfan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat, QT interval prolongation) or a thiamine deficiency, or you experience episodes of fainting
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Halfan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Ketoconazole because it may decrease the effectiveness of Halfan
- Arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, clarithromycin), mefloquine, pimozide, serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, droperidol), streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin), terfenadine, and ziprasidone because the risk of side effects, such as QT prolongation, may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Halfan may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Halfan:
Use Halfan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Halfan on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
- If you miss a dose of Halfan, contact your doctor.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Halfan.
Important safety information:
- Halfan may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Halfan. Using Halfan alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
- Halfan may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Halfan. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
- Halfan is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Halfan, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Halfan during pregnancy. It is unknown if Halfan is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while you are taking Halfan.
Possible side effects of Halfan:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal skin sensations; chest pain; dark urine; fast heartbeat; fatigue; pale color; seizures; shortness of breath; vision changes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Halfan side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased consciousness; diarrhea; rapid or pounding heartbeat; stomach pain or cramps; vomiting.
Proper storage of Halfan:
Store Halfan at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Halfan out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Halfan, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Halfan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Halfan. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Halfan resources
- Halfan Side Effects (in more detail)
- Halfan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Halfan Drug Interactions
- Halfan Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Halfan - Add your own review/rating
- Halfan Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Halfan Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- halofantrine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
Compare Halfan with other medications
- Malaria
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