Atovaquone is used to treat or prevent pneumonia caused by a fungal infection called Pneumocystitis carinii (also called Pneumocystis jiroveci).
Atovaquone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atovaquone.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or a stomach or intestinal disorder.
Also tell your doctor if you use other medications such as rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane), a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), or a seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), divalproex (Depakote), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproic acid (Depakene).
Take atovaquone with a meal for best results.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as easy bruising or bleeding, fever, flu symptoms, white patches in your mouth or throat, worsening cough, wheezing, trouble breathing, a severe red or peeling skin rash, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atovaquone.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take atovaquone, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease; or
- a stomach or intestinal disorder.
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.
Atovaquone Side Effects
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
- fever, flu symptoms;
- white patches in your mouth or throat;
- worsening cough;
- bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
- nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
- mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or upset,
- diarrhea, constipation;
- headache;
- weakness, dizziness;
- muscle pain;
- mild skin rash;
- sweating; or
- sleep problems (insomnia).
Atovaquone Interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially:
- carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
- clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo);
- rifabutin (Mycobutin); or
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane).
Atovaquone Dosage
Take atovaquone with a meal for best results.
Shake the liquid medicine bottle well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you are taking a pre-measured atovaquone dose from a foil pouch, tear open the pouch along the perforated line and take all of the medicine in the pouch. You may drink it directly from the pouch or pour it into a spoon or cup before taking.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
Store atovaquone at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the medicine to freeze.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of an atovaquone overdose are not known.
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.
