Mepron

Generic Name: atovaquone (Oral route)

a-TOE-va-kwone

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Mepron

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet


• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Antiprotozoal

Chemical Class: Ubiquinone

Uses For Mepron

Atovaquone is used to treat and to prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), a very serious kind of pneumonia. This particular kind of pneumonia occurs commonly in patients whose immune systems are not working normally, such as cancer patients, transplant patients, and patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Mepron

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of atovaquone in children 1 month to 13 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of atovaquone in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems which may require an adjustment of dosage in patients receiving atovaquone .

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Rifampin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Indinavir


• Rifabutin


• Tetracycline


• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Liver disease, severe or


• Stomach or intestinal disorders—Atovaquone may not work properly in patients with these conditions .

Proper Use of Mepron

Make certain your doctor knows if you are on any special diet. This medicine must be taken with balanced meals so that it can work properly.

It is important that you take atovaquone with a balanced meal. This is to make sure the medicine is fully absorbed into the body and will work properly.

Atovaquone tablets may be crushed if necessary to make it easier to swallow.

Because atovaquone tablets and oral suspension do not produce the same amount of medicine in the blood, the tablets and the suspension cannot be switched and used in place of each other.

For patients taking the oral liquid form of this medicine:

• Shake the bottle gently before using atovaquone.


• This medicine is to be taken by mouth. Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.


• Do not use after the expiration date on the label since the medicine may not work properly after that date. Check with your pharmacist if you have any questions about this .

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking your medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

Atovaquone works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP):
  
  • For oral dosage form (suspension):
    
    • Adults and teenagers—1,500 milligrams (mg) or 10 milliliters (mL) once a day with a meal.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  

• For treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP):
  
  • For oral dosage form (suspension):
    
    • Adults and teenagers—750 milligrams (mg) or 5 milliliters (mL) taken with a meal two times a day for 21 days.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    
    • Adults and teenagers—750 milligrams (mg) taken with a meal three times a day for 21 days.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using Mepron

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Mepron Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Cough or hoarseness


• difficult or labored breathing


• fever or chills


• lower back or side pain


• painful or difficult urination


• shortness of breath


• tightness in chest


• wheezing

Incidence not known

• Black, tarry stools


• bleeding gums


• bloating


• blood in urine or stools


• bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms


• constipation


• dark urine


• dizziness or lightheadedness


• fast heartbeat


• headache


• indigestion


• large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs


• light-colored stools


• loss of appetite


• nausea


• noisy breathing


• pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back


• pale skin


• pinpoint red spots on skin


• rapid heart rate


• sore throat


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• vomiting


• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• diarrhea


• lack or loss of strength


• runny nose


• skin rash


• sleeplessness


• sneezing


• sore mouth or tongue


• stuffy nose


• sweating


• trouble in sleeping


• unable to sleep


• white patches in mouth, tongue, or throat

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin


• eye irritation or redness


• itching


• joint or muscle pain


• red skin lesions, often with a purple center


• skin rash

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Mepron side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More Mepron resources

• Mepron Side Effects (in more detail)
• Mepron Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Mepron Drug Interactions
• Mepron Support Group
• 1 Review for Mepron - Add your own review/rating

• Mepron Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Mepron Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Mepron Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Mepron MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Atovaquone Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)

Compare Mepron with other medications

• Babesiosis
• Malaria
• Pneumocystis Pneumonia
• Pneumocystis Pneumonia Prophylaxis
• Toxoplasmosis