What is Atovaquone Proguanil?

Atovaquone and proguanil are medications to treat 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.

The combination of atovaquone and proguanil is used to treat or prevent malaria.

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

What is the most important information I should know about Atovaquone Proguanil?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to atovaquone or proguanil. You should not use this medication to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, severe complications from infection with malaria, or uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea.

Take atovaquone and proguanil at the same time each day with food or a milky drink.

If you vomit within 1 hour after taking this medication, take another dose. If your vomiting continues, call your doctor.

If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria, start taking it 1 or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Take the medication every day during your stay and for at least 7 days after you leave. If you stop taking the medicine early for any reason, contact a healthcare professional about another form of malaria prevention.

If you are taking this medicine to treat malaria, take the medication every day for 3 days in a row.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.

In addition to taking atovaquone and proguanil, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have a fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.

No medication is 100% effective in treating or preventing malaria. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if you have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea during your treatment.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Atovaquone Proguanil?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to atovaquone or proguanil. You should not use this medication to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease
liver disease
severe complications from malaria; or
uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether atovaquone and proguanil is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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.

Proguanil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. It is not known whether atovaquone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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

Atovaquone Proguanil Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Atovaquone Proguanil?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

severe or uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea
fever
nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
mouth sores
unusual aches and pains, tired feeling, weight loss
severe skin rash; or
easy bruising or bleeding

Less serious side effects may include:

cough
headache
weakness
dizziness; or
itching

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Atovaquone Proguanil Interactions

What other drugs affect Atovaquone Proguanil?

The following drugs can interact with atovaquone and proguanil. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
rifabutin (Mycobutin)
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane)
tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap); or
metoclopramide (Reglan)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with atovaquone and proguanil. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Atovaquone Proguanil?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using this medication.

Atovaquone Proguanil Dosage

How should I take Atovaquone Proguanil?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

It is important to use this medication regularly to best prevent malaria. If you stop using the medication early for any reason, talk to your doctor about other forms of malaria prevention.

Take atovaquone and proguanil at the same time each day with food or a milky drink.

If you vomit within 1 hour after taking this medication, take another dose. If your vomting continues, call your doctor.

If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria:

Start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking the medicine every day during your stay and for at least 7 days after you leave the area
If you stop taking the medicine early for any reason, contact a healthcare professional about another form of malaria prevention

If you are taking this medicine to treat malaria:

Take the medicine every day for 3 days in a row
Take this medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated

In addition to taking atovaquone and proguanil, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be tested with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.

Store atovaquone and proguanil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Atovaquone Proguanil?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include stomach discomfort, vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss, easy bruising or bleeding, and peeling of the skin on your hands or feet.

What happens if I miss a dose of Atovaquone Proguanil?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com

Atovaquone Proguanil