Malarone

Malarone is used to prevent and treat malaria. Malaria is a disease that is transmitted through a bite of Anopheles mosquito that has malaria parasite (plasmodium falciparum).

This medication works by killing the parasite in the bloodstream. This product is available in a tablet.

If you are about to start Malarone, speak with your doctor about what you need to know. You should also inform your healthcare providers if you are allergic to foods, dyes, or animals.

Appropriate studies on this medicine have been performed for children and younger adult patients who weigh more than 25 pounds for malaria prophylaxis and more than 11 pounds for malaria treatment. It has not been tested for older people.

Pregnancy category C – The use of Atovaquone and Proguanil during pregnancy is warranted only if benefits justify risks to the fetus and only when no alternative management is appropriate.

There are no adequate studies whether Atovaquone and Proguanil can pass through breast milk or if it could cause harmful effects to the infant. Discuss with your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Taking this medicine with Aurothioglucose is not recommended and you may not be required to use this medication. Otherwise, alternative medicine may be prescribed for your other medications.

Taking this medicine with any of the following medications is usually not recommended, but with the exception in some cases.

Dosage or frequency of one or both of your medicines may be changed if both medicines are prescribed together.

• Dicumarol
• Rifabutin
• Rifampin
• Warfarin

Taking this medicine with any of the following medications may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.

Dosage or frequency of one or both of your medicines may be changed if both medicines are prescribed together.

• Chloroquine
• Efavirenz
• Indinavir
• Tetracycline
• Warfarin

This medicine is contraindicated in patients with:

• Hypersensitivity to Atovaquone and Proguanil.
• Kidney failure
• Return of previously treated malaria

To use Malarone properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. It must be taken with fatty food or with milk to achieve maximum absorption.

If you vomit within 60 minutes of taking your medication, take the medication again. If you or your child has difficulty swallowing a tablet, you may crush and mix this medicine with milk before taking it or giving it to your child.

Recommended dose for malaria prevention:

• Adults — Take one tablet once a day starting from 1 to 2 days before going to the malarial area. Continue taking this medication for 1 week after leaving the malarial area. Each tablet contains 250 mg of Atovaquone and 100 mg Proguanil.
• Children weighing 25 pounds (11 kilograms) or more— Dosage will depend on the child’s body weight.

Recommended dose for malaria treatment:

• Adults—1 gram of Atovaquone and 400 mg of Proguanil once a day for 3 consecutive days.
• Children weighing 11 pounds (5 kg) or more— Dosage will depend on the child’s body weight.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is near for your next dose, skip the missed dose and start again to your regular dosing schedule.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Store the medication in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Keep out of reach of children. Do not keep expired medications.

Before using Malarone, there are some precautions you must take if you are living in or will be travelling in a malaria-infested area.

Here are some preventive measures that may help you to reduce the risk of acquiring the disease:

• Use a mosquito net and mosquito repellant.
• Wear longs-sleeved shirts and long trousers to protect your arms and legs from mosquito bites.
• Spray an insecticide inside the room before entering.
• Sleep in a room with window and door screen to avoid the mosquito from entering the room.

Go to hospital emergency immediately if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction while taking this medicine.

Avoid extensive sunlight exposure or wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen before going outdoors since this medication may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Malarone to avoid unwanted potential side effects. There are several side effects that you may experience while receiving this medication.

If any of these side effects occur, tell it to your doctor right away:

• Blistering, Peeling, Loosening of skin
• Chills
• Convulsions
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fast heartbeat
• Hives or Welts
• Increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
• Itching, Redness or Other discoloration of skin
• Joint or Muscle pain
• Large, Hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
• Loss of bladder control
• Muscle spasm or jerking of all extremities
• Puffiness or Swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Rash
• Red, Irritated eyes
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Seeing, Hearing, or Feeling things that are not there
• Severe mental changes
• Severe sunburn
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash
• Sores, Ulcers or White spots in mouth or on lips
• Sudden loss of consciousness
• Tightness in chest
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Wheezing

There are also some side effects that do not need medical attention and can be resolved during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

You can discuss it with your doctor to give you an advice on how to prevent or reduce these side effects:

• Abdominal pain
• Back pain
• Coughing
• Diarrhea
• Dreams
• Fever
• Headache
• Itching skin
• Lack or Loss of strength
• Nausea
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• Sores in mouth
• Sneezing
• Vomiting
• Acid or Sour stomach
• Belching
• Blurred or Loss of vision
• Disturbed color perception
• Dizziness
• Double vision
• Flu like symptoms
• Halos around lights
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Loss of appetite
• Night blindness
• Over bright appearance of lights
• Sleeplessness
• Stomach discomfort upset or pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Tunnel vision
• Unable to sleep
• Weight loss
• Discouragement
• Fear
• Feeling sad or empty
• Irritability
• Lack of appetite
• Loss of interest or pleasure
• Nervousness
• Trouble concentrating

Not all side effects are listed above. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.