Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Antiprotozoal
Uses
- Treats mild to moderate pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
- May be effective for other parasitic infections such as
toxoplasmosis and malaria.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you cannot swallow whole,
crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
When to take:
At the same time each day. Take with meals that are high in
fat (eggs, cheese, butter, milk, meat, pizza, nuts) to increase
absorption.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Stops harmful growth of susceptible organisms.
Time lapse before drug works:
3 weeks.
Don't take with:
Any other prescription or non-prescription drug without consulting
your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
None expected.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison control center
or hospital emergency room for instructions.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Common:
- Fever, skin rash.
- Nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, headache, cough, trouble
sleeping.
Infrequent:
Rare:
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to atovaquone.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have any gastrointestinal disorder.
Over age 60:
No problems expected.
Pregnancy:
Animal studies show possibility of fetal abnormalities. Discuss
with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn
child.
Breast-feeding:
Not known if drug passes into breast milk. Avoid drug or discontinue
nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice
on maintaining milk supply.
Infants & children:
Give only under close medical supervision.
Prolonged use:
Not intended for long-term use.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.
Others:
- Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you
take this medicine.
- May affect the results in some medical tests.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for followup medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check blood counts
and liver function.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
