Coartem, a combination of artemether (20 mg) and lumefantrine (120 mg), was licensed for the treatment of P. falciparum malaria in the United States in 2009. Adults should take 4 pills twice daily for three days (6 doses). Children should take two pills twice daily for four days (8 doses). The medication is safe when taken as directed but may cause some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, rash, or dry skin. Artemisinins work by triggering a rapid breakdown of hemoglobin inside the parasite's digestive system resulting in its death. The drugs are effective against all stages of the malaria parasite. Treatment with artemisinins results in a cure rate of more than 95% if it is given properly. However, without proper treatment, the disease will likely return. There are several factors that may affect how fast you recover after taking artemisinin medications. Your health before you got sick with malaria, the type of malaria you have, and how many parasites are in your blood can all influence how quickly you recover. The length of time you remain free of symptoms after starting therapy also depends on how many parasites are in your body when you first see a doctor. If you start treatment early, the majority of people make a full recovery within 14 days. However, if you wait until after being infected for several weeks to begin treatment, you risk developing complications from the disease.