What is Malarone
AtovaquoneThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryAtovaquone is an anti-malarial medication that works by targeting a specific type of bacteria and preventing the growth of the malaria-causing parasite. It is a type of hydroxynaphthoquinone, a chemical that is similar to ubiquinone, and is used in antimalarial treatments.
Mepronis the brand name
Malarone 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 Malarone Affects PatientsAtovaquone is a fat-soluble drug that is similar in structure to ubiquinone. It works by targeting certain processes in parasites, such as energy production and the creation of a certain type of molecule. Atovaquone has been found to target a specific part of the energy making process in the parasite Plasmodia. Unlike many drugs, atovaquone does not cause bone marrow suppression, making it a good choice for those who have had a bone marrow transplant.
How Malarone works in the bodyWe don't know exactly how atovaquone works to fight Pneumocystis carinii, but it appears to target enzymes involved in energy production in cells. This inhibition stops the cells from being able to make nucleic acid and ATP, which causes them to die. Atovaquone is also effective against Toxoplasma gondii when tested in a lab.
When to interrupt dosage
The recommended dosage of Malarone is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as prophylaxis of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Genus Pneumocystis and Toxoplasmosis. The amount of dosage can be found in the table below, contingent upon the method of administration, including Tablet - Oral or Tablet, film coated - Oral.Condition
Dosage
Administration
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Malarone.Common Malarone 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.
Malarone Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe most toxic dose of atovaquone is higher than the highest dose tested in mice and rats (1825 mg/kg/day). In some cases, people have overdosed on up to 31,500 mg of atovaquone. One patient who overdosed also reported methemoglobinemia, a condition where too much of the oxygen-carrying pigment in the blood is converted to a different form. Skin rash is also a common symptom of atovaquone overdose.
Malarone Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Malarone?
Currently, 124 active clinical trials are evaluating the potential of Malarone in providing relief to those suffering from Malaria, Babesiosis and HIV.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Malaria
0 Actively Recruiting
Babesiosis
0 Actively Recruiting
Babesiosis
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV
133 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
Malarone Reviews: What are patients saying about Malarone?
5Patient Review
5/18/2020 I took this drug for many trips to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. The trips varied from one week up to four weeks. I never experienced any side effects and took this drug for a total of around 6 months over a 3 year period. [I tried an alternative anti-malarial when I ran out of Malarone on one trip - hydroxycloroquine - and had continuous stomach upsets and diarrhoea.]
3.7Patient Review
10/23/2013 I experienced weight gain and disorientation after taking this medication, as well as some pretty intense nightmares.
3.3Patient Review
8/9/2015 After just two days of taking this medication, my stool turned green. I'm not sure what that indicates, but it wasn't pleasant.
2.3Patient Review
7/24/2013 I took the drug for 16 days before I went to Africa. I don't think it had any effect; I got mosquito bites regardless. Additionally, both of my legs now have weird rashes on them that don't itch, so I'm stopping the medication early.
2.3Patient Review
2/6/2015 My experience with this medication was fine, but my boyfriend had a very different reaction. He started feeling faint and lightheaded, and his vision kept going in and out. This went on for about an hour before he finally fell asleep. Needless to say, he won't be taking this again.
2.3Patient Review
6/18/2015 About two weeks into using this medication, I started experiencing brain fog. This continued even after I stopped taking the drug.
2.3Patient Review
6/23/2012 My family and I recently traveled to the Rift Valley region of Kenya. Two of us took Malarone, two took nothing....all four of us were clinically diagnosed with malaria 2-4 times...person 1 on malarone...3 times in Kenya and a relapse in America. person 2 on malarone 2 rounds in Kenya. Person 3 no prophylaxis 3 rounds in Kenya one on return. Person 4 no malarone 2 rounds in Kenya 0 at home. Med seems to have no effect on malaria in the area we were staying...and no reduction in severity of symptoms
1Patient Review
8/5/2017 Malarone gave me terrible diarrhea four days into my trip to Tanzania. The doctor at the lodge said it was because of the Malarone and had me stop taking it. I had to take a lot of imodium for the rest of my trip and even when I got back home.
Patient Q&A Section about malarone
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What does Malarone do to your body?
"Malarone helps to prevent the growth of parasites in human red blood cells. These parasites usually enter the body through a mosquito bite and can cause malaria. Malaria is common in areas of Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Malarone can be used to help treat or prevent malaria."
Answered by AI
Who should not take Malarone?
"You should take atovaquone- proguanil with food.
If you are pregnant, have an infant that weighs less than 5kg, are nursing, have severe kidney disease, or are taking medications that affect your liver or kidney function, you should not take atovaquone-proguanil. You should take atovaquone-proguanil with food."
Answered by AI
How long is it safe to take Malarone for?
"The course should be started 1 or 2 days before entering a country with a risk of malaria and taken daily for the entire duration of your stay. The course should then be continued for 7 days after leaving the affected area."
Answered by AI