Dosing and uses of Mepron (atovaquone)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 250mg
oral suspension
- 750mg/5mL
Malaria (P. falciparum)
1000 mg (with proguanil 400 mg) PO qDay x3 days
Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia
Treatment: 750 mg PO BID x21 days
Prophylaxis: 1500 mg/day PO, qDay or divided BID, with food
Other Information
See also combo with proguaniL
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 250mg
oral suspension
- 750mg/5mL
Malaria (P. Falciparum)
11-20 kg: 250 mg (with proguanil 100 mg)
21-30 kg: 500 mg (with proguanil 200 mg)
31-40 kg: 750 mg (with proguanil 300 mg)
All PO qDay x3 days
Mepron (atovaquone) adverse (side) effects
>10%
Abdominal pain (4-21%)
Cough (14-25%)
Depression (undefined)
Diarrhea (19-42%)
Dyspnea (15-21%)
Fever (14-40%)
Headache (16-31%)
Infection (18-22%)
Insomnia (10-19%)
Myalgia (undefined)
Nausea (21-32%)
Rash (22-46%)
Rhinitis (5-24%)
Vomiting (14-22%)
Weakness (8-31%)
1-10%
Amylase increased (7-8%)
Anemia (4-6%)
Anorexia (<7%)
Anxiety (<7%)
BUN/creatinine increased (<1%)
Constipation (<3%)
Dyspepsia (<5%)
Dizziness (3-8%)
Hyperglycemia (<9%)
Hypoglycemia (<1%)
Hyponatremia (7-10%)
Liver enzymes elevated (4-8%)
Neutropenia (3-5%)
Pruritus (5-10%)
Oral moniliasis (5-10%)
Taste perversion (<3%)
Warnings
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Monotherapy for malaria
Cautions
Admin proguanil concomitantly for malaria
Admin w/ food
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Mepron (atovaquone)
Absorption: significantly increased with a high-fat meaL
Distribution: 3.5 L/kg
Protein Bound: >99%
Metabolism: undergoes enterohepatic recirculation
Bioavailability: tablet: 23%; suspension: 47%
Half-life, elimination: 2-3 d
Excretion: feces (94% as unchanged drug)
Mechanism of action
Inhibits electron transport chain in Plasmodium
