Atovaquone (Systemic)

Brand Names : Mepron

Before Receiving This Medicine

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 atovaquone, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to atovaquone. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

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

Pregnancy - Atovaquone has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in rabbits have shown an increase in miscarriages and other harmful effects in the mother and fetus. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether atovaquone passes into human breast milk. However, it was found in the milk of rats. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of atovaquone with your doctor.

Children - Atovaquone has been tested in a limited number of children 1 month of age to 13 years old. It is not known if this medicine causes different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of atovaquone in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other 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 atovaquone, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin) - Use of rifampin with atovaquone may decrease the amount of atovaquone in the blood and keep it from working properly

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

• Stomach or intestinal disorders - Atovaquone may not work properly in patients with some kinds of stomach or intestinal problems