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Atovaquone

Brand Names

; Mepron™

Antiprotozoal

This medicine is used to treat a specific type of pneumonia. It can also be used to prevent this same pneumonia. Other uses include treatment or prevention of a brain infection.
It is also used to prevent a type of pneumonia. This pneumonia is called Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. It is often seen in patients with poor immune systems.

Atovaquone may inhibit the metabolism of the bug causing the infection. This may cure the pneumonia or prevent you from getting the pneumonia.
It may treat the brain infection or prevent you from getting the infection.

To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
Take with meals. Include food with fat in it. Food increases the medicine's absorption into your body.

Take a missed dose as soon as possible, but make sure to take with a meal.
If it is almost time for the next dose or you have already eaten, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

Tell healthcare provider if you are taking rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin. These medicines may decrease the effectiveness of atovaquone.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding is not recommended.

Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
Rash.
Inability to sleep.
Fever.
Diarrhea.
Cough.

Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Any rash.
No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).