Atovaquone, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Take it exactly as directed.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: anti-infective; antiprotozoal

Generic and brand names: atovaquone, oral; Mepron Suspension

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in people who are not able to tolerate treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim or Septra DS).

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine or to benzyl alcohol
• Any stomach or bowel problems
• Liver or kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Keep taking the medicine even if you are feeling better. If you stop the medicine too soon, your infection may come back.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 13.

Take the medicine with food. It may not work as well if it is taken on an empty stomach. The medicine works best if taken with a high fat meal.

Shake the bottle well before you take each dose. Use the measuring spoon, cup, dropper, or oral syringe that comes with the medicine, or ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen spoon because the dose may not be correct.

If you have the single use foil pouches, you can put the contents into a dosing spoon, a cup, or directly into your mouth.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: rash.

What should I watch out for?

If your condition does not improve within a few days or gets worse, contact your healthcare provider.

You may need lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Fever, sore throat, increased cough, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, depression, unusual tiredness or weakness, yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored bowel movements, severe nausea or vomiting, severe stomach pain, unusual loss of appetite, sores or white patches in your mouth or throat.

Other: Trouble sleeping, nausea, diarrhea, headache, vomiting, weakness, itching, runny nose, stomach pain, constipation, dizziness, sweating, muscle aches.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Antibiotics such as rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifapentine (Priftin), and tetracycline
• Etoposide
• HIV medicines such as efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir, ritonavir (Norvir), and others
• Metoclopramide (Metozolv, Reglan)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.