Atovaquone (atovaquone)

The pharmacokinetics of atovaquone in individuals with renal or hepatic impairment and the possible need for caution and/or dosage adjustment remain to be fully determined. The manufacturer states that atovaquone should be used with caution and close monitoring in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Atovaquone is administered orally.

Atovaquone must be taken with food to optimize GI absorption. (See Pharmacokinetics: Absorption.) Alternative therapy should be considered in patients who have difficulty taking atovaquone with food.

The multiple-dose bottle containing atovaquone oral suspension should be shaken gently before removing a dose.

If a single-dose foil pouch containing atovaquone oral suspension is used, the pouch should be opened by removing the perforated tab and the entire contents of the pouch ingested; the dose can be discharged from the pouch into a dosing spoon or cup or directly into the mouth.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

There are no moderate interactions for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

There are no severe contraindications for this drug.

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.

There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.

No enhanced messaging available.

No enhanced messaging available.

Reproduction studies in rats using atovaquone dosages resulting in plasma concentrations up to 2-3 times the estimated human exposure have not revealed evidence of teratogenicity. However, maternal and fetal toxicity (decreased mean fetal body lengths and weights and increased early fetal resorption and postimplantation fetal loss) did occur in rabbits receiving oral atovaquone dosages resulting in plasma concentrations approximately one-half the estimated human exposure. It is not clear whether these effects were caused by atovaquone or resulted from maternal toxicity. Atovaquone concentrations in rabbit fetuses averaged 30% of concurrent maternal plasma concentrations. In another study, atovaquone concentrations in rat fetuses following single 14C-radiolabeled doses were 18% (middle gestation) and 60% (late gestation) of concurrent maternal plasma concentrations. There are no adequate and controlled studies to date using atovaquone in pregnant women, and the drug should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits justify the possible risks to the fetus.

It is not known whether atovaquone is distributed into human milk. The drug is distributed into breast milk of rats in concentrations 30% of concurrent maternal plasma concentrations. Atovaquone should be used with caution in nursing women.

No enhanced messaging available.