What is Malarone?

Malarone contains a combination of atovaquone and proguanil. Atovaquone and proguanil are medications used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites. Malarone works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body. Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Malarone is used to treat or prevent malaria.

Always read the patient information and instructions carefully before using this medication.

• 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 persistent vomiting 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.
• Dosage is based on your medical condition, on whether you are preventing or treating the illness, and your response to treatment. Dosage in children is also based on weight.
• To prevent illness, take atovaquone/proguanil usually once daily at the same time each day, or as directed by your doctor. Start this medication 1-2 days before you enter the malarious area; continue 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 usually once daily for 3 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• It is very important to continue 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. Seek immediate medical attention 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 persists or worsens.

Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist:

• If you have any drug allergies.
• Which other prescription and non-prescription medications you currently take.
• Your medical history, especially of: current diarrhea, current vomiting, kidney problems, liver problems, mental/mood problems, seizures.

Also be aware that:

• This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. While you are pregnant, traveling to an area with malaria places you and your infant at a much higher risk for death and other problems. Discuss the risks and benefits of malaria prevention with your doctor.
• It is unknown if atovaquone passes into breast milk. The proguanil in this medication passes into breast milk and the effects of this medication on a nursing infant are not known. The CDC recommends against using this product for malaria prevention if you are breastfeeding an infant weighing less than 11 pounds (5 kilograms). Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Common side-effects may include but are not limited to:

• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, and dizziness.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side-effects:

• Signs of serious liver problems (such as persistent/severe nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, unexplained tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin), signs of anemia (such as worsening tiredness, rapid breathing, pale skin/lips/nails, fast heartbeat while resting), signs of severe infection (such as high fever, severe chills, body aches, sore throat).
• Any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Q: What happens if I miss a dose?

A: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.