Malarone
Malarone generic name: Atovaquone-Proguanil Hcl
What is Malarone used for?
This medication contains 2 medicines: atovaquone and proguanil. It is used to prevent and treat malaria caused by mosquito bites in countries where malaria is common. Malaria parasites can enter the body through these mosquito bites, and then live in body tissues such as red blood cells or the liver. This medication is used to kill the malaria parasites living inside red blood cells and other tissues. In some cases, you may need to take a different medication (such as primaquine) to complete your treatment. Both medications may be needed for a complete cure and to prevent the return of infection (relapse). Atovaquone/proguanil belongs to a class of drugs known as antimalarials. The United States Centers for Disease Control provide updated guidelines and travel recommendations for the prevention and treatment of malaria in different parts of the world. Discuss the most recent information with your doctor before traveling to areas where malaria occurs.
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Malarone Frequently Asked Questions
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking this medication, and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with food or a milky drink (such as whole milk, milkshake) that contains fat. If you vomit within 1 hour of taking a dose, repeat the dose. If you have vomiting that doesn't stop after taking atovaquone/proguanil, contact a doctor right away. You may need another medication to prevent vomiting or a different malaria medication.
Swallow the tablet whole because of its bitter taste. Do not chew. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, this medication may be crushed and mixed with condensed milk. Take the entire mixture right away. Do not save for future use.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, on whether you are preventing or treating the illness, and your response to treatment. The dosage in children is also based on weight.
To prevent illness, take atovaquone/proguanil as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Start this medication 1 to 2 days before you enter the malarious area and keep taking the medication while in the area and for 7 days after leaving.
If needed, primaquine can be taken for 14 days starting during the last week of treatment with atovaquone/proguanil or starting immediately after you have finished treatment.
To treat malaria, take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually once daily for 3 days.
It is very important to keep taking this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day for the entire prescribed time.
Do not take more or less of this drug than prescribed. Do not stop taking this drug before completing the full treatment unless directed to do so by your doctor, even if you feel better or do not feel sick. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause prevention/treatment to be ineffective, cause the amount of parasite to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
It is important to prevent mosquito bites (such as by using appropriate insect repellents, wearing clothes that cover most of the body, remaining in air-conditioned or well-screened areas, using mosquito nets and insect-killing sprays). Buy insect repellent before traveling. The most effective insect repellents contain diethyltoluamide (DEET). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend the appropriate strengths of mosquito repellent for you/your children.
No drug treatment is completely effective in preventing malaria. Get medical help right away if you develop symptoms of malaria (such as fever, chills, headache, other flu-like symptoms). Malaria can return, even months after completing this prescription. Quick treatment of malaria infection is needed to prevent serious, possibly fatal, outcomes.
When using atovaquone/proguanil for treatment, tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.