Atovaquone/Proguanil Hydrochloride, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antimalaria

Generic and brand names: atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride, oral; Malarone; Malarone Pediatric

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to prevent or treat malaria.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• chronic or severe diarrhea or vomiting
• kidney or liver disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How should I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more than your healthcare provider prescribes. Taking too much of this medicine may cause side effects.

This medicine comes in 2 strengths: one for adults and one for children. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take it at the same time each day with food or milk. If you vomit within 1 hour after taking a dose, take another dose. However, if you forget a dose one day, do not take a double dose the next day.

If you use this medicine to prevent malaria, start taking it 1 or 2 days before you travel to an area where malaria is common and during your stay. Continue to take the medicine for 7 days after you return to a non-malaria area.

The dosage for children is based on body weight. Follow directions carefully.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: stomach pain, vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss, unusual bruising or bleeding, peeling of the skin on your hands or feet.

What should I watch out for?

No malaria treatment is 100% effective. If you develop a fever during a trip or when you return, seek medical care. Tell your healthcare provider that you might have been exposed to malaria.

If you vomit or have diarrhea, you may not be getting enough medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider about this. You may need another drug to control the vomiting or diarrhea.

If the fever or other signs of malaria return after treatment with this medicine, contact your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (contact your healthcare provider right away): Major vision changes, ringing in your ears, hearing problems, mood changes, sore throat, fever, severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea or vomiting, seizures, yellow skin or eyes, light-colored bowel movements, dark urine.

Other: Diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite, dizziness, itching, weakness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• anti-HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin)
• tetracycline (Bristacycline, Sumycin)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.