Trade Names:Mepron- Suspension 750 mg/5 mL
Inhibits mitochondrial electron transport in metabolic enzymes of microorganisms. This may cause inhibition of nucleic acid and adenosine triphosphate synthesis.
Bioavailability is approximately 47%. Food increases absorption approximately 2-fold. AUC is approximately 280 h•mcg/mL (fed) and approximately 169 h•mcg/mL (fasting). C max is approximately 15.1 mcg/mL (fed) and 8.8 mcg/mL (fasting).
Highly lipophilic. May undergo enterohepatic recycling. Vd is 0.6 L/kg. 99.9% protein bound.
T 1/2 is 67 to 77.6 h. More than 94% is excreted unchanged in the feces; less than 0.6% is excreted in the urine.
Treatment of mild to moderate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients who are intolerant of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and acute oral treatment of mild to moderate PCP in patients who are intolerant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Standard considerations.
PO 1,500 mg once daily with a meal.
Treatment of Mild to Moderate PCPAdults and children 13 to 16 yr of agePO 750 mg administered with food twice daily for 21 days (total daily dose, 1500 mg).
Do not freeze.
Food, particularly fats, increases absorption 3-fold.
Highly protein-bound drugsAtovaquone is highly protein bound; interactions may occur because of competition for binding sites.
RifamycinsDecreases steady-state plasma concentrations of atovaquone and increases steady-state plasma concentrations of rifampin.
None well documented.
Headache; insomnia; dizziness; anxiety.
Rash; pruritus.
Sinusitis; rhinitis; altered taste.
Nausea; diarrhea; vomiting; abdominal pain; constipation; oral monilia; anorexia; dyspepsia.
Elevated creatinine; elevated BUN.
Anemia; neutropenia.
Elevated liver enzymes.
Increased cough.
Fever; sweating; weakness; decreased sodium concentration; elevated amylase; allergic reaction; rhinitis; asthenia; infection; dyspnea.
Category C .
Undetermined.
Safety and efficacy not established.
Atovaquone has not been systematically evaluated in patients older than 65 yr of age.
Use caution and closely monitor administration.
Treatment of severe episodes of PCP has not been evaluated. Efficacy in patients not responding to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole has not been established. Atovaquone has not been evaluated for prophylaxis of PCP.
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health.