MALARONE

Atovaquone-proguanil (or Malarone) is a medication used against malaria. It may be found under different names and consisted of two different products: proguanil and atovaquone.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• combined antimalarial medication
• protection against malaria
• usual dose :
  • Take 1 dose 1 per day while eating
  • Starting 1-2 days before arrival, continue during the stay, and for 7 days after leaving the area

INDICATIONS

The only indications of Atovaquone-proguanil are against malaria. It can be used to treat or prevent malaria. This product can be used both with adults and children.

DOSES

Adults – Malaria

Atovaquone-proguanil is indicated as a treatment against malaria. It is recommended to take 1000/400 mg daily for 3 days. To reduce nausea, it is possible to divide the dose in two.

To prevent malaria, it is advisable to take Atovaquone-proguanil if you are visiting areas where chloroquine resistance is reported. Begin treatment 1-2 days before arrival, then continue to take this medicine every day during your stay. Once back, continuing the prophylactic treatment for 7 days.

Children – Malaria

The Atovaquone-proguanil doses to treat or prevent malaria in children vary according to the weight of the child. It is important to follow the directions provided by your doctor and to respect the doses given.

SIDE EFFECTS

The most common side effects are :

• abdominal pain (15%)
• vomiting (12%)
• nausea (11%)
• anemia (8%)
• headache (8%)
• fatigue (7%)
• hepatic enzymes increased (6%)
• decreased appetite (5%)
• muscle pain (3%)
• dizziness (3%)
• cough (1%)
• photosensitivity (0-1%)

PRECAUTIONS

Pregnancy

Atovaquone: This product is not recommended if you are pregnant. No studies on human subjects have been made, but the animal data suggest that the product has toxic effects on the fetus.

Proguanil: as the benefits obtained by this medication outweigh the risks to the fetus, it is possible to take this product during pregnancy. Note that its use should not be considered as a first resort.

Breastfeeding

For both products, no study has been done on the impact of these products on the development of the child. However, for atovaquone, considering the physicochemical properties of the product, it is likely that it has a harmful impact on the child.

According to the CDC, the use of Atovaquone-proguanil is not recommended for nursing mothers of children under 5 kg.

Food

It is advisable to take the medication with food, as this improves the absorption of the medication. The product must be taken at the same time each day with food or drinks containing milk.

Contraindications

For proguanil, if the individual has G6PD deficiency, there is a risk of hemolysis. For people with kidney failure, it is not necessary to take an extra dose.

INTERACTIONS AND ALLERGIES