What is Atovaquone
AtovaquoneThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryAtovaquone is a drug used to treat malaria and an infection called pneumocystis. It belongs to a group of drugs called hydroxynaphthoquinones, which are similar to a natural substance called ubiquinone.
Mepronis the brand name
Atovaquone Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Mepron
Atovaquone
1995
52
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Atovaquone, otherwise called Mepron, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses which include Malaria and Malaria .Malaria
Used to treat Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in combination with Proguanil
Malaria
Used to treat acute, uncomplicated Malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum in combination with Proguanil
Effectiveness
How Atovaquone Affects PatientsAtovaquone is a fat-soluble drug that resembles [ubiquinone]. It works by selectively affecting energy production in cells and process that create energy, such as ATP and pyrimidine biosynthesis. Atovaquone is believed to target a specific part of the cell (cytochrome bc1 complex, or complex III) in Plasmodia. Unlike other drugs, atovaquone does not have a high risk of reducing bone marrow production, making it a safe and beneficial treatment for those who have undergone bone marrow transplantation.
How Atovaquone works in the bodyWe don't know exactly how atovaquone works against Pneumocystis carinii, but it appears to target the cytochrome bc1 complex, which plays an important role in the electron transport chain. This action prevents important metabolic enzymes from working, which leads to the inhibition of nucleic acid and ATP synthesis. Atovaquone also has been shown to be effective against Toxoplasma gondii in laboratory tests.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Atovaquone is contingent upon the pinpointed condition, such as prophylaxis of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Genus Pneumocystis and Toxoplasmosis. The quantity of dosage alters as per the system of delivery (e.g. Tablet - Oral or Tablet, film coated - Oral) indicated in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
prophylaxis of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Babesiosis
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Genus Pneumocystis
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Malaria
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Babesiosis
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
mild Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Toxoplasmosis
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
HIV
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Malaria
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Toxoplasmosis
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia
, 62.5 mg, 250.0 mg, 750.0 mg/mL, 150.0 mg/mL
Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Suspension, , Oral, Tablet, Tablet, film coated, Suspension - Oral
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Atovaquone.Common Atovaquone Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Acenocoumarol
Major
The metabolism of Acenocoumarol can be decreased when combined with Atovaquone.
Acepromazine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Atovaquone is combined with Acepromazine.
Aceprometazine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Atovaquone is combined with Aceprometazine.
Acetophenazine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Atovaquone is combined with Acetophenazine.
Alimemazine
Major
The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Atovaquone is combined with Alimemazine.
Atovaquone Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe most toxic dose of atovaquone tested on mice and rats was found to be higher than the maximum dose given orally (1825 mg/kg per day). Reports of overdoses up to 31,500 mg have been documented. In one case, the patient also took dapsone and experienced methemoglobinemia. Additionally, rashes have been reported after an overdose.
Atovaquone Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Atovaquone?
124 active studies are presently examining the potential of Atovaquone for the management of Malaria, Babesiosis and HIV.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Malaria
0 Actively Recruiting
Babesiosis
0 Actively Recruiting
Babesiosis
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV
131 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 3, Phase 4, Early Phase 1
Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Genus Pneumocystis
0 Actively Recruiting
Toxoplasmosis
0 Actively Recruiting
Toxoplasmosis
0 Actively Recruiting
mild Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
0 Actively Recruiting
prophylaxis of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
0 Actively Recruiting
Malaria
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1
Atovaquone Reviews: What are patients saying about Atovaquone?
4Patient Review
3/8/2020 I've been on this medication for a month now, and I'm still coughing up phlegm. Not sure how much longer this is supposed to go on for.
4Patient Review
2/16/2014 I'm not done with the treatment yet, so I can't give it a full five stars. But I have definitely felt an improvement within two weeks! And it's easy to measure how much you're taking- just use the water displacement method. Also, make sure to eat before taking it to avoid nausea.
Patient Q&A Section about atovaquone
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What type of antibiotic is atovaquone?
"Atovaquone is an antiprotozoal medication that works by preventing the growth of certain types of protozoa that can cause pneumonia."
Answered by AI
Is atovaquone an antibiotic?
"Mepron is an antibiotic that is sold under different names in other parts of the world. It is used to fight infections caused by bacteria."
Answered by AI
What is atovaquone used for?
"Atovaquone is used to prevent and treat Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) in adults and children who cannot tolerate other medicines, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. It can also be used to prevent PCP in adults and children 2 years of age and older with weakened immune systems who are at risk of getting this disease."
Answered by AI
Does atovaquone treat Covid?
"Results
Atovaquone significantly inhibited viral replication compared with placebo (P=.02). Among patients treated with atovaquone, the time to viral clearance was significantly shorter than among those treated with placebo (P This trial provides evidence that atovaquone inhibits viral replication and may be a promising treatment for patients with COVID-19 infection.
These studies found that atovaquone could be a good treatment for inhibiting viral replication. A trial was done with patients who had COVID-19 infection, and it was found that atovaquone significantly inhibited viral replication compared to placebo. The time to viral clearance was also significantly shorter among patients treated with atovaquone. This provides evidence that atovaquone could be a promising treatment for patients with COVID-19 infection."
Answered by AI