Product Summary
Malarone tablets contain two active ingredients, proguanil hydrochloride and atovaquone. These are both medicines that are active against the parasite that causes malaria.
Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by various types of parasites known as Plasmodium. Plasmodium are carried by mosquitoes and injected into the bloodstream during a bite from an infected mosquito. Once inside the body the parasite reproduces, resulting in the disease.
Proguanil hydrochloride works by stopping the parasite from reproducing once it is in the bloodstream. It does this by blocking the action of a compound that is found in the Plasmodium parasite. This compound is an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase, and is involved in the reproduction of the parasite.
Dihydrofolate reductase normally converts folic acid into folinic acid in the parasite, which is a step essential for the parasite to produce new genetic material (DNA). New DNA is necessary for the parasite to reproduce. By blocking it's production, proguanil prevents malarial parasites in the blood from reproducing and increasing in number.
Atovaquone also works by interfering with the production of substances needed by the malarial parasites to reproduce. It works in a slightly different way, however, so these two medicines work in combination against the Plasmodium parasite.
Proguanil with atovaquone is used to prevent malaria caused by a type of Plasmodium called Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite produces the most serious form of malaria (malignant malaria). Proguanil with atovaquone may be particularly useful for preventing malaria in travellers to areas where this parasite is known to be resistant to other antimalarial medicines, such as chloroquine. To prevent malaria, this medicine is taken every day, starting 24 to 48 hours before entering the malarious region. It should be taken throughout the stay, and continued for a week after leaving the malarious area.
Higher doses of proguanil and atovaquone are also used to treat uncomplicated malaria caused by infection with the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. However, this combination of medicines has not been evaluated for the treatment of more complicated or severe malaria affecting the brain, lungs or kidneys.
Product Details
How should I take Malarone?
Take Malarone exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
It is important to use this medication regularly to best prevent malaria. If you stop using the medication early for any reason, talk to your doctor about other forms of malaria prevention.
Take Malarone at the same time each day with food or a milky drink. If you vomit within 1 hour after taking this medication, take another dose. If your vomting continues, call your doctor.
If you are taking this medicine to prevent malaria:
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Start taking the medicine 1 or 2 days before entering an area where malaria is common. Continue taking the medicine every day during your stay and for at least 7 days after you leave the area. -
If you stop taking the medicine early for any reason, contact a healthcare professional about another form of malaria prevention.
If you are taking Malarone to treat malaria:
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Take the medicine every day for 3 days in a row. - Take this medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
In addition to taking Malarone, use protective clothing, insect repellents, and mosquito netting around your bed to further prevent mosquito bites that could cause malaria.
To be sure Malarone is not causing harmful effects, your liver function may need to be tested with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have fever or other symptoms of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is common.
No medication is 100% effective in treating or preventing malaria. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if you have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea during your treatment.
Store Malarone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much Malarone.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach discomfort, vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss, easy bruising or bleeding, and peeling of the skin on your hands or feet.
What should I avoid while taking Malarone?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using this medication.
Before taking Malarone
Do not use Malarone if you are allergic to atovaquone or proguanil. You should not use this medication to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.
Before using Malarone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
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kidney disease; -
liver disease; -
severe complications from malaria; or -
uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Malarone.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Malarone is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Malaria is more likely to cause death in a pregnant woman.
If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks of traveling to areas where malaria is common. Proguanil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. It is not known whether atovaquone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Malarone should not be used to treat malaria in a child who weighs less than 11 pounds, and should not be used to prevent malaria in a child who weighs less than 24 pounds.
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