malarone

malarone Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Atovaquone is a hydroxynaphthoquinone, or an analog of ubiquinone, that has antimicrobial and antipneumocystis activity. It is being used in antimalarial protocols.

Atovaquone is a highly lipophilic drug that closely resembles the structure [ubiquinone]. Its inhibitory effect being comparable to ubiquinone, atovaquone can act by selectively affecting mitochondrial electron transport and parallel processes such as ATP and pyrimidine biosynthesis in atovaquone-responsive parasites. Cytochrome bc1 complex (complex III) seems to serve as a highly discriminating molecular target for atovaquone in Plasmodia. There is no significant risk for myelosuppression associated with atovaquone, making this drug a beneficial therapeutic agent for recipients of bone marrow transplantation.

malarone
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	malarone
Generic	Proguanil Hydrochloride + Atovaquone
Weight	100, 250mg, , 250mg + 100mg, 62.5mg + 25mg
Type	Tablet, Oral Tablet
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer	Glaxowellcome, Glaxosmithkline Uk, Delphi Pharmaceuticals
Available Country	Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, India, United States, Netherlands, Portugal,
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Atovaquone is an antimicrobial indicated for the prevention and treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and for the prevention and treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

For the treatment or prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients who are intolerant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Also indicated for the acute oral treatment of mild to moderate PCP in patients who are intolerant to TMP-SMX.

malarone is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia, Toxoplasma gondii encephalitis, Acute, uncomplicated Malaria caused by plasmodium falciparum, Mild Babesiosis, Mild Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Moderate Babesiosis, Moderate Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia

How malarone works

The mechanism of action against Pneumocystis carinii has not been fully elucidated. In Plasmodium species, the site of action appears to be the cytochrome bc1 complex (Complex III). Several metabolic enzymes are linked to the mitochondrial electron transport chain via ubiquinone. Inhibition of electron transport by atovaquone will result in indirect inhibition of these enzymes. The ultimate metabolic effects of such blockade may include inhibition of nucleic acid and ATP synthesis. Atovaquone also has been shown to have good in vitro activity against Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxicity

The median lethal dose is higher than the maximum oral dose tested in mice and rats (1825 mg/kg per day). Overdoses up to 31,500 mg of atovaquone have been reported. In one such patient who also took an unspecified dose of dapsone, methemoglobinemia occurred. Rash has also been reported after overdose.

Volume of Distribution

0.60 ± 0.17 L/kg

Elimination Route

The bioavailability of atovaquone is low and variable and is highly dependent on formulation and diet. Bioavailability of the suspension increases two-fold when administered with meals. When administered with food, bioavailability is approximately 47%. Without food, the bioavailability is 23%.

Half Life

2.2 to 3.2 days

Clearance

10.4 +/- 5.5 ml/min [HIV-infected patients receiving IV administration]

Elimination Route

The half-life of atovaquone is long due to presumed enterohepatic cycling and eventual fecal elimination. There was little or no excretion of atovaquone in the urine (less than 0.6%).