Atovaquone is a medication that interferes with the reproduction of protozoa (single-cell
organisms) that can cause disease in the body.
Atovaquone is used to treat or prevent pneumonia caused by a fungal infection called
Pneumocystitis carinii (also called Pneumocystis jiroveci).
Atovaquone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atovaquone?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atovaquone.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before you take atovaquone, tell your doctor if you have:
liver disease; or
a stomach or intestinal disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether atovaquone is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before you take atovaquone, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
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.
How should I take atovaquone?
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.
Take atovaquone with a meal for best results.
Shake the liquid medicine bottle well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get
the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you are taking a pre-measured atovaquone dose from a foil pouch, tear open the pouch along
the perforated line and take all of the medicine in the pouch. You may drink it directly from the pouch
or pour it into a spoon or cup before taking.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
Store atovaquone at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow
the medicine to freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose of atovaquone?
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?
Your pharmacist has information about atovaquone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of atovaquone?
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:
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset,
diarrhea, constipation;
headache;
weakness, dizziness;
muscle pain;
mild skin rash;
sweating; or
sleep problems (insomnia).
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?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atovaquone.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or a stomach or intestinal
disorder.
Also tell your doctor if you use other medications such as rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin
(Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane), a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), or a seizure
medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), divalproex (Depakote), phenytoin (Dilantin),
or valproic acid (Depakene).
Take atovaquone with a meal for best results.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as easy bruising or bleeding,
fever, flu symptoms, white patches in your mouth or throat, worsening cough, wheezing, trouble
breathing, a severe red or peeling skin rash, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
What should I avoid while taking atovaquone?
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?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially:
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo);
rifabutin (Mycobutin); or
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
atovaquone. 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.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009