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| Pronunciation |
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 (a
TOE va
kwone) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Mepron™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiprotozoal |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to atovaquone or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat a specific type of pneumonia. It can
also be used to prevent this same pneumonia. Other uses include treatment or
prevention of a brain infection.
- It is also used to prevent a type of pneumonia. This pneumonia is
called Pneumocystis carinii
pneumonia. It is often seen in patients with poor immune
systems.
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| How does it work? |
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- Atovaquone may inhibit the metabolism of the bug causing the
infection. This may cure the pneumonia or prevent you from getting the
pneumonia.
- It may treat the brain infection or prevent you from getting the
infection.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
- Take with meals. Include food with fat in it. Food increases the
medicine's absorption into your
body.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible, but make sure to take with a
meal.
- If it is almost time for the next dose or you have already eaten, skip
the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Tell healthcare provider if you are taking rifampin, rifapentine, or
rifabutin. These medicines may decrease the effectiveness of atovaquone.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Breast-feeding is not
recommended.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Rash.
- Inability to sleep.
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Cough.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for temperature or worsening of infection.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room temperature. Do not
freeze.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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