Malarone(Atovaquone + Proguanil)

The active ingredients in MALARONE are atovaquone and proguanil. Atovaquone prevents the function of mitochondria in malarial cells. Proguanil inhibits the critical enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. When the malaria parasite enters the body, it has several different stages of development. During the initial infection, cells enter the liver before infecting red blood cells. MALARONE stops the development of malarial cells while they are in the liver. MALARONE has many potential drug-drug interactions, and some of the most severe are with the following medications: Antipsychotics, Dapsone, Efavirenz, Ethinyl estradiol (oral contraceptive), Etoposide, Hepatitis C antivirals, Indinavir, Metoclopramide, Pyrimethamine, Rifamycin, Ritonavir, Tetracycline, Typhoid vaccine, Warfarin Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for a full list of drug interactions that may affect your treatment.

MALARONE should be used with caution in people with a history of liver or kidney. Your doctor should monitor these before treatment with MALARONE. MALARONE may be less effective in patients who are obese (>100 kg). Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea or vomiting during treatment with MALARONE, which may decrease absorption.

MALARONE side effects can include: Abdominal pain, Angioedema, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Pruritus, Hallucination, Headache, Increased liver enzymes, Nausea, Neutropenia, Urticaria, Vomiting, Weakness Malarone [package insert]. Research Park Triangle, NC: GlaxoSmithKline; 2008.