Pronunciation: a-TOE-va-kwone/proe-GWAHN-il
Generic Name: Atovaquone/Proguanil
Brand Name: Malarone
Atovaquone/Proguanil is used for:
Preventing or treating malaria.
Atovaquone/Proguanil is an antiprotozoal and antimalarial. It works by interfering with the development of malaria parasites.
Do NOT use Atovaquone/Proguanil if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Atovaquone/Proguanil
- you have severe kidney problems and are using Atovaquone/Proguanil to prevent malaria
- you are taking rifampin or rifabutin
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Atovaquone/Proguanil:
Some medical conditions may interact with Atovaquone/Proguanil. 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 stomach or bowel problems, vomiting or diarrhea, kidney problems, liver problems, or abnormal liver function tests
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Atovaquone/Proguanil. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Metoclopramide, rifabutin, rifampin, or tetracycline because they may decrease Atovaquone/Proguanil's effectiveness
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Atovaquone/Proguanil
- Indinavir or typhoid vaccine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Atovaquone/Proguanil
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Atovaquone/Proguanil 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 Atovaquone/Proguanil:
Use Atovaquone/Proguanil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Atovaquone/Proguanil by mouth with food or milk.
- If you vomit within 1 hour of taking your dose, take another dose. Inform your doctor that you will need more medicine to finish your treatment.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Atovaquone/Proguanil for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- When using for malaria prevention, start taking Atovaquone/Proguanil 1 to 2 days before going to a malaria-infested area and continue to take daily during the stay and for 7 days after return.
- Take Atovaquone/Proguanil on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Taking Atovaquone/Proguanil at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Do not stop taking Atovaquone/Proguanil without talking with your doctor. If you stop taking Atovaquone/Proguanil for any reason, talk with your doctor about whether you should restart Atovaquone/Proguanil or take another medicine to prevent malaria.
- If you miss a dose of Atovaquone/Proguanil, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Atovaquone/Proguanil.
Important safety information:
- Atovaquone/Proguanil helps to prevent malaria; however, it is still possible to contract the disease. Notify your doctor immediately that you may have been exposed to malaria if you develop flu-like symptoms including chills, fever, muscle aches, or headache.
- Atovaquone/Proguanil may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Atovaquone/Proguanil with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Atovaquone/Proguanil may not work as well if you have severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea. Contact your doctor if you experience these effects. You may need to take a different medicine to prevent or treat malaria.
- Wear protective clothing and use insect repellants and bed nets to help decrease the risk of getting malaria.
- If you are taking or have recently taken an oral typhoid vaccine, check with your doctor about when you should start taking Atovaquone/Proguanil.
- Use Atovaquone/Proguanil with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Atovaquone/Proguanil should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN weighing less than 11 pounds (5 kg); safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Atovaquone/Proguanil while you are pregnant. Atovaquone/Proguanil is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Atovaquone/Proguanil, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Atovaquone/Proguanil:
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; mouth sores; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest or throat; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); dark urine; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mood or mental changes; muscle or back pain; pale stools; red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe or persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain; shortness of breath; unusual fatigue or weakness; weight loss; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
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: Atovaquone/Proguanil 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.
Proper storage of Atovaquone/Proguanil:
Store Atovaquone/Proguanil at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Atovaquone/Proguanil out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Atovaquone/Proguanil, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Atovaquone/Proguanil 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 Atovaquone/Proguanil. 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 Atovaquone/Proguanil resources
- Atovaquone/Proguanil Side Effects (in more detail)
- Atovaquone/Proguanil Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Atovaquone/Proguanil Drug Interactions
- Atovaquone/Proguanil Support Group
- 6 Reviews for Atovaquone/Proguanil - Add your own review/rating
Compare Atovaquone/Proguanil with other medications
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- Malaria Prevention
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