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Atovaquone review
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Atovaquone is a naphthalene chemical compound used in a treatment of various infections and diseases caused by protozoan organisms as an antibiotic. This drug can also be used in the treatment of certain fungal-based infections. It comes in a standard 250 mg tablet, although a liquid suspension form is also manufactured under the brand name Mepron.
Atovaquone is used to combat Pneumocystis pneumonia or PCP. It is a form of pneumonia caused by fungal infections. Most of the victims of PCP are HIV infection patients, as a normal immune system will be able to resist the infection caused by the fungus. However doctors do not recommend using it on severe PCP infections.
It can also be used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. These parasites live off entire from the host’s nutrients and may cause complications such as encephalitis.
Atovaquone has also been used in malaria treatment as a safer, albeit more expensive solution to other medication.
Atovaquone is not usually the first drug administered to PCP and toxoplasmosis patients, but doctors will often prescribe this if you are allergic to other common treatments.
Follow doctor’s instructions when taking this drug and it is recommended to take both the liquid and tablet form of atovaquone with food or drink. Shake the liquid solution well for the best effect and use a proper dosing spoon or cup to ensure accurate doses. Premeasured doses are also available in foil pouches – the contents of these pouches should be consumed entirely.
For the prevention of PCP, the recommended dose is 1500 mg or 10 ml per day, administered once daily along with a meal. However, for those with a current mild to moderate PCP infection, the recommended dose is 750 mg every 8 hours for 21 days, for a total of 1500 mg a day until infection clears up.
For the treatment of malaria, doses vary from children to adults. A commonly available brand of atovaquone marketed for malaria treatment is Malarone, which are available in standard 250 mg tablets which also contains 100 mg of proguanil hydrochloride and a “pediatric” tablet with 62.5 mg of atovaquone and 25 mg of proguanil hydrochloride. Children are prescribed atovaquone in relation to their body weight while adults take full dose.
Minor side effects resulting from atovaquone use include dizziness, mild rashes, weakness and fatigue, mild nausea and vomiting, stomach upsets, and mild headaches. Consult your doctor if any other inconvenient side effects are felt.
Some of the more serious effects which need immediate attention include easy bruising, tightness in breathing and wheezing, severe nausea, jaundice, white patches in your mouth, and fever and flu-like symptoms.
Kidney problems may present a problem for the use of atovaquone, and any similar cases should be reported to your doctor. Atovaquone may also reduce alertness so avoid doing tasks requiring a lot of attention and coordination and refrain from drinking alcohol while on the medication. Stop taking this medication if you experience severe rashes, vomiting, fever and other allergic reactions.
Atovaquone has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of atovaquone is C22H19ClO3
• Chemical IUPAC Name is 3-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclohexyl]-4-hydroxy-naphthalene-1,2-dione
• Molecular weight is 366.837 g/mol
• Atovaquone available : 250mg tablets
Brand name(s): Malarone, Mepron
Review published on: 10 June 2009
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