From the Guidelines
Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil) is indicated for the prevention and treatment of uncomplicated malaria, including areas with chloroquine and mefloquine resistance, as well as for the treatment of acute malaria in adults and children, as supported by recent guidelines and studies 1.
Indications for Use
- Prevention of malaria in areas with chloroquine and mefloquine resistance
- Treatment of uncomplicated malaria, including areas with chloroquine and mefloquine resistance
- Treatment of acute malaria in adults and children
Dosage and Administration
- For malaria prevention, adults typically take one tablet daily (250mg atovaquone/100mg proguanil), starting 1-2 days before entering a malaria-endemic area, continuing throughout the stay, and for 7 days after leaving
- For treatment of acute malaria, adults usually take four tablets once daily for three consecutive days
Important Considerations
- Malarone should be taken with food or a milky drink at the same time each day to improve absorption and maintain consistent blood levels
- Pregnant women, individuals with severe kidney impairment, or those with certain medical conditions should consult their healthcare provider before using Malarone, as alternative medications may be more appropriate
- Recent studies have shown that Malarone is effective against many strains of Plasmodium falciparum, including some resistant to other antimalarials 1
Key Points
- Malarone is a prescription medication used for preventing and treating malaria
- It contains two active ingredients: atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and headache
- Malarone works by interfering with the parasite's ability to reproduce in red blood cells and liver cells
- It's essential to follow the recommended dosage and administration guidelines to ensure effective treatment and prevention of malaria.
From the FDA Drug Label
Atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the prophylaxis of P. falciparum malaria, including in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. Atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.
The indication for Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil) is for:
- Prophylaxis of P. falciparum malaria
- Treatment of acute, uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria 2
From the Research
Indication for Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil)
The indication for Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil) is for the:
- Prophylaxis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria 3, 4, 5, 6
- Treatment of acute, uncomplicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum 7, 5
Key Points
- Malarone is a fixed-dose combination tablet of two antimalarial agents, atovaquone and proguanil 3
- The combination of atovaquone and proguanil is synergistic in vitro, and clinical studies demonstrated enhanced efficacy of the combination compared to either drug alone for treatment of malaria 7
- Malarone is effective against drug-resistant strains of P. falciparum, and cross-resistance has not been observed between atovaquone and other antimalarial agents 3
- Malarone is generally well tolerated by both adults and children, with the most common treatment-related adverse events being headache and abdominal pain 3
Efficacy
- The efficacy of Malarone for the prevention of P. falciparum malaria was estimated at 100% in nonimmune adults, adolescents, and children 3
- Malarone has high protective efficacy for P. vivax in Colombia, with a protective efficacy of 100% (LL 95% CI = 63%) for all malaria and 100% (LL 95% CI = 58%) for P. vivax malaria 6