Atovaquone and proguanil

Generic name: Atovaquone And Proguanil
Dosage form: oral tablet (250 mg-100 mg; 62.5 mg-25 mg)
Drug class: Antimalarial combinations

Usage of Atovaquone and proguanil

Atovaquone and proguanil is a combination medicine used to treat or prevent malaria, a disease caused by parasites. These medicines work by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body.

Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.

Atovaquone and proguanil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Atovaquone and proguanil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Atovaquone and proguanil may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

stomach pain (upper right side), loss of appetite;

tiredness, itching;

dark urine, clay-colored stools; or

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of atovaquone and proguanil may include:

stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea;

mouth sores;

headache, dizziness, weakness;

strange dreams;

itching; or

cough

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Atovaquone and proguanil

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to atovaquone or proguanil.

Do not use atovaquone and proguanil to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.

Atovaquone and proguanil should not be used to treat malaria in a child who weighs less than 11 pounds (5 kilograms), and should not be used to prevent malaria in a child who weighs less than 24 pounds (11 kilograms).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

kidney disease.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Malaria is more likely to cause death in a pregnant woman. If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks of traveling to areas where malaria is common.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Relate drugs

How to use Atovaquone and proguanil

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria:

1 g atovaquone/400 mg proguanil (four adult strength tablets as a single dose) orally once a day for 3 consecutive days

Usual Adult Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis:

Prophylactic therapy should start 1 or 2 days before entering a malaria-endemic area and continued daily during the stay and for 7 days after return.250 mg atovaquone/100 mg proguanil (one adult strength tablet) orally once a day

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria:

Less than 5 kg ABW (actual body weight): Safety and efficacy has not been established.5 to 8 kg ABW: 125 mg atovaquone/50 mg proguanil (2 pediatric tablets) once daily for 3 consecutive days.9 to 10 kg ABW: 187.5 mg atovaquone/75 mg proguanil (3 pediatric tablets) once daily for 3 consecutive days.11 to 20 kg ABW: 250 mg atovaquone/100 mg proguanil (one adult strength or four pediatric tablets as a single dose) orally once a day for 3 consecutive days21 to 30 kg ABW: 500 mg atovaquone/200 mg proguanil (two adult strength tablets as a single dose) orally once a day for 3 consecutive days31 to 40 kg ABW: 750 mg atovaquone/300 mg proguanil (three adult strength tablets as a single dose) orally once a day for 3 consecutive daysGreater than 40 kg ABW: 1 g atovaquone/400 mg proguanil (four adult strength tablets as a single dose) orally once a day for 3 consecutive days

Usual Pediatric Dose for Malaria Prophylaxis:

Prophylactic treatment should start 1 or 2 days before entering a malaria-endemic area and continued daily during the stay and for 7 days after return.11 to 20 kg ABW (actual body weight): 62.5 mg atovaquone/25 mg proguanil (one pediatric tablet) orally once a day21 to 30 kg ABW: 125 mg atovaquone/50 mg proguanil (two pediatric tablets as a single dose) orally once a day31 to 40 kg ABW: 187.5 mg atovaquone/75 mg proguanil (three pediatric tablets as a single dose) orally once a dayGreater than 40 kg ABW: 250 mg atovaquone/100 mg proguanil (one adult strength tablet) orally once a day

Warnings

You should not use atovaquone and proguanil to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.

What other drugs will affect Atovaquone and proguanil

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

metoclopramide;

rifabutin;

rifampin;

tetracycline; or

a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect atovaquone and proguanil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

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