Skip to content

Atovaquone

    Brands

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Mepron

    • Antimalarials

    Oral antiprotozoal agent; active against both Toxoplasma gondii and Pneumocystis jiroveci (formerly Pneumocystis carinii); structurally and pharmacologically related to lapinone and parvaquone (antimalarials); effective for malaria when used with proguanil.

    Indicated for the treatment

    • Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia
    • Malaria (P. falciparum)

    History of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., angioedema, bronchospasm, throat tightness, urticaria) to drug or components

    • Abdominal pain (4-21%)
    • Cough (14-25%)
    • Depression (undefined)
    • Diarrhea (19-42%)
    • Dyspnea (15-21%)
    • Fever (14-40%)
    • Headache (16-31%)
    • Infection (18-22%)
    • Insomnia (10-19%)
    • Myalgia (undefined)
    • Nausea (21-32%)
    • Rash (22-46%)
    • Rhinitis (5-24%)
    • Vomiting (14-22%)
    • Weakness (8-31%)

    Oral absorption is limited but can be significantly increased when drug is taken with food; failure to administer with food may result in lower plasma concentrations and may limit response to therapy; consider therapy with other agents in patients who have difficulty taking oral suspension with food or in patients who have gastrointestinal disorders that may limit absorption of oral medications

    Cases of cholestatic hepatitis, elevated liver enzymes, and fatal liver failure reported; if treating patients with severe hepatic impairment, closely monitor patients

    Hypersensitivity reactions reported, including bronchospasm, angioedema, urticaria and throat tightness

    Pregnancy Category: C

    Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution

    Adults

    Doses of up to 3 g/day PO have been used.

    Geriatric

    Doses of up to 3 g/day PO have been used.

    Adolescents

    Doses of up to 3 g/day PO have been used.

    Children

    > 2 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established; doses of up to 40 mg/kg/day (maximum 1.5 g/day) PO have been used for the treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia infections.
    <= 24 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established; doses of up to 45 mg/kg/day PO have been recommended for the treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia infections.

    Infants

    >= 4 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established; doses of up to 45 mg/kg/day PO have been recommended for the treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia infections.
    1—3 months: Safety and efficacy have not been established; doses of up to 40 mg/kg/day PO have been recommended for the treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia infections.

    Neonates

    Safety and efficacy have not been established; doses of up to 40 mg/kg/day PO have been recommended for the treatment of Pneumocystis pneumonia infections.

    Atovaquone

    oral suspension

    • 750mg/5mL