What is atovaquone and 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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atovaquone and 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:
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.
How should I take atovaquone and 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:
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.
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.
Store atovaquone and proguanil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of atovaquone and 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.
Where can I get more information about atovaquone and proguanil?
Your pharmacist has information about atovaquone and proguanil written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of atovaquone and 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.
What is the most important information I should know about atovaquone and 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 avoid while taking atovaquone and proguanil?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while you are using this medication.
What other drugs will affect atovaquone and 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 happens if I have an overdose of atovaquone and proguanil?