Trade names Mepron MedlinePlus a693003 ATC code P01AX06 (WHO) CAS ID 95233-18-4 | AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph Routes of
administration By mouth Formula C22H19ClO3 Molar mass 366.837 g/mol | |
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Legal status UK: POM (Prescription only)
US: ℞-only IUPAC ID trans-2-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclohexyl]-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione | ||
Atovaquone (alternative spelling: atavaquone) is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of naphthoquinones. Atovaquone is a hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, an analog of ubiquinone, with antipneumocystic activity. It is manufactured in the US in the liquid form, or oral suspension, under the brand name Mepron.
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Uses
Atovaquone is a medication used to treat or prevent:
- For pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), it is used in mild cases, although it is not approved for treatment of severe cases.
- For toxoplasmosis, the medication has antiparasitic and therapeutic effects.
- For malaria, it is one of the two components (along with proguanil) in the drug Malarone. Malarone has fewer side effects and is more expensive than mefloquine. Resistance has been observed.
- For babesia, it is often used in conjunction with oral azithromycin.
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX, Bactrim) is generally considered first-line therapy for PCP or toxoplasmosis. However, atovaquone may be used in patients who cannot tolerate, or are allergic to, sulfonamide medications such as TMP-SMX. In addition, atovaquone has the advantage of not causing myelosuppression, which is an important issue in patients who have undergone bone marrow transplantation.
Malaria
Atovaquone, as a combination preparation with proguanil, has been commercially available from GlaxoSmithKline since 2000 as Malarone for the treatment and prevention of malaria.