Brand Name

Malarone {GlaxoSmithKline}

Generic Name

atovaquone and proguanil, pronounced a TOE va kwone and pro GWAHN il

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Malarone?

Malarone is a medication that is used to treat or prevent malaria. Malaria is typically caused by parasites that enter your body through a mosquito bite. Mosquitos that transmit malaria are in certain parts of the world, like areas in Africa, South America and South Asia. Malarone is a combination of atovaquone and proguanil and works by interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of your body.

Malarone may also be used for conditions that are not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Malarone

You should not use Malarone to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.

If you are taking Malarone to prevent malaria you must begin taking it 1 or 2 days before you enter the location where malaria is present. You will need to take Malarone for the entire time you are in the area with malaria and for 7 consecutive days after leaving the area. Take care to remember that there is no medication that is 100% effective for preventing or treating Malaria.

Malaroneshould not be given to treat malaria in children who weigh less than 11 pounds.

You should not administer Malarone to prevent malaria in a child who weighs less than 24 pounds.

Malarone is in FDA pregnancy category C. Malarone is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby. You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you plan to become pregnant before starting treatment with Malarone. You should not use Malarone without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby, as Malarone passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby.

Before You Take Malarone

You should not use Malarone if you are allergic to atovaquone or proguanil.

You should not use Malarone to prevent malaria if you have severe kidney disease.

If you have kidney or liver disease or severe complications from an infection with malaria you should tell your doctor before taking Malarone.

If you have uncontrolled diarrhea or vomiting you should inform your doctor before starting treatment with Malarone.

Take care to avoid using products containing caffeine, as Malarone can make the effects of caffeine stronger.

You should tell your doctor immediately if you have been exposed to malaria, or if you have a fever or other signs of illness during or after a stay in an area where malaria is present.

Malarone Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• rifabutin (Mycobutin)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane)
• tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap)
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) or other blood thinners

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Malarone. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Malarone

You should take Malarone exactly as your doctor has prescribed you to. Do not use Malarone in larger or smaller amounts, or for shorter or longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label exactly.

You can take Malarone with or without food.

Take Malarone with a full glass of water, at least 8 ounces.

You should tell your doctor immediately if you suddenly stop taking Malarone for an alternative treatment to prevent or treat malaria.

If you are taking Malarone to prevent malaria you must begin taking it 1 or 2 days before you enter the location where malaria is present. You will need to take Malarone for the entire time you are in the area with malaria and for seven (7) consecutive days after leaving the area. Take care to remember that there is no medication that is 100% effective for preventing or treating Malaria.

If you are taking Malarone to treat Malaria you should take it every day for three (3) days in a row.

Take care to wear protective clothing, use insect repellents and put up mosquito netting around your bed to prevent mosquito bites that may harbor malaria.

You should store Malarone at room temperature, and away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose of Malarone you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

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Malarone Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Malarone and seek medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction that includes breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• balance, speech or walking problems
• bleeding or bruising easily
• diarrhea or vomiting that is severe or uncontrolled
• fever with mouth sores
• jaundice with symptoms like appetite loss, clay colored stools, dark urine, itching, nausea, stomach pain, weakness and yellowing of your skin
• severe skin rash
• unusual bleeding, like from your mouth, nose or rectum and purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin

Less serious Malarone side effects may include:

• mild diarrhea
• dizziness
• itching
• upset stomach or stomach pain
• weakness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Malarone. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Malarone Description and Dosing

Malarone is available as tablets for adults and tablets in a pediatric dose. The adult strength tablets contain 250 mg of atovaquone and 100 mg of proguanil hydrochloride. The adult strength tablets are pink, filmcoated, round, biconvex and engraved with “GX CM3” on one side. The Malarone Pediatric Tablet contains 62.5 mg of atovaquone and 25 mg of proguanil hydrochloride. The Malarone Pediatric Tablets are pink, filmcoated, round, biconvex and engraved with “GX CG7” on one side.

Malarone dosages vary for each individual based on their age, condition and situation. Your doctor will tell you the right dose of Malarone for you to take. Do not change or alter your Malarone dose without talking to your doctor first.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with the Malarone you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Malarone

Malarone is comprised of the main ingredients atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. The inactive ingredients in both the adult and pediatric formations are lowsubstituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, poloxamer 188, povidone K30, and sodium starch glycolate. The tablet coating for both the adult strength and pediatric tablets also contains hypromellose, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 8000, red iron oxide, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.