malarone
Pharmaranks rates Malarone 3.5/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Malarone is a combination medicine containing Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride.
Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride · by Glaxosmithkline
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Every strength approved under this FDA application (2)
- Malarone (this page)Atovaquone 250MG; Proguanil Hydrochloride 100MG
- Malarone PediatricAtovaquone 62.5MG; Proguanil Hydrochloride 25MG
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride
- Form
- Tablet
- Strength
- Atovaquone 250MG; Proguanil Hydrochloride 100MG
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- Manufacturer
- Glaxosmithkline
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$0.72 per ml — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA021078
What is Malarone?
From the FDA label:Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets (adult strength), for oral administration, contain a fixed‑dose combination of the antimalarial agents atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. The chemical name of atovaquone is trans -2-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclohexyl]-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthalenedione. Atovaquone is a yellow crystalline solid that is practically insoluble in water. It has a molecular weight of 366.84 and the molecular formula C 22 H 19 ClO 3 . The compound has the following structural formula: The chemical name of proguanil hydrochloride is 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-isopropyl-biguanide hydrochloride. Proguanil hydrochloride is a white crystalline solid that is sparingly soluble in water. It has a molecular weight of 290.22 and the molecular formula C 11 H 16 ClN 5 •HCl. The compound has the following structural formula: Each Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablet (adult strength) contains 250 mg of atovaquone and 100 mg of proguanil hydrochloride. The inactive ingredients are low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, poloxamer 188, povidone K30, and sodium starch glycolate. The tablet coating contains hypromellose, polyethylene glycol 400, polyethylene glycol 8000, red iron oxide, and titanium dioxide. atovaquone molecular chemical structure proguanil hydrochloride molecular chemical structure.jpg
How to use
The daily dose should be taken at the same time each day with food or a milky drink. In the event of vomiting within 1 hour after dosing, a repeat dose should be taken. Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets may be crushed and mixed with condensed milk just prior to administration to patients who may have difficulty swallowing tablets. • Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets should be taken with food or a milky drink. Prophylaxis ( 2.1 ) : • Start prophylaxis 1 or 2 days before entering a malaria‑endemic area and continue daily during the stay and for 7 days after return. • Adults: One adult strength tablet per day. Treatment ( 2.2 ) : • Adults: Four adult strength tablets as a single daily dose for 3 days. Renal Impairment ( 2.3 ) : • Do not use for prophylaxis of malaria in patients with severe renal impairment. • Use with caution for treatment of malaria in patients with severe renal impairment. 2.1 Prevention of Malaria Start prophylactic treatment with Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets 1 or 2 days before entering a malaria-endemic area and continue daily during the stay and for 7 days after return. Adults One Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablet (adult strength = 250 mg atovaquone/100 mg proguanil hydrochloride) per day. 2.2 Treatment of Acute Malaria Adults Four Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets (adult strength; total…
Side effects
Prophylaxis: Common adverse reactions (≥4%) in adults were diarrhea, dreams, oral ulcers, and headache; these events occurred in a similar or lower proportion of subjects receiving atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride than an active comparator. Common adverse reactions (≥5%) in pediatric patients included abdominal pain, headache, cough, and vomiting. ( 6.1 ) • Treatment: Common adverse reactions (≥5%) in adolescents and adults were abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, asthenia, anorexia, and dizziness. Common adverse reactions (≥6%) in pediatric patients included vomiting, pruritus, and diarrhea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Prasco Laboratories at 1-866-525-0688 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Because the tablets contain atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride, the type and severity of adverse reactions associated with each of the compounds may be expected. The lower prophylactic doses of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride were better tolerated than the higher treatment doses. Prophylaxis of P. falciparum Malaria In 3…
Warnings
Important safety information
Atovaquone absorption may be reduced in patients with diarrhea or vomiting. If used in patients who are vomiting, parasitemia should be closely monitored and the use of an antiemetic considered. In patients with severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting, alternative antimalarial therapy may be required. ( 5.1 ) • In mixed P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infection, P. vivax relapse occurred commonly when patients were treated with atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride alone. ( 5.2 ) • In the event of recrudescent P. falciparum infections after treatment or prophylaxis failure, patients should be treated with a different blood schizonticide. ( 5.2 ) • Elevated liver laboratory tests and cases of hepatitis and hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation have been reported with prophylactic use. ( 5.3 ) • Atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride has not been evaluated for the treatment of cerebral malaria or other severe manifestations of complicated malaria. Patients with severe malaria are not candidates for oral therapy. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Vomiting and Diarrhea Absorption of atovaquone may be reduced in patients with diarrhea or vomiting. If Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets are used in patients who are vomiting, parasitemia should be closely monitored and the use of an antiemetic considered. [See Dosage and Administration ( 2 ).] Vomiting occurred in up to 19% of pediatric patients given treatment doses of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. In the controlled clinical trials, 15.3% of adults received an antiemetic when they received atovaquone/proguanil and 98.3% of these patients were successfully treated. In patients with severe or persistent diarrhea or vomiting, alternative antimalarial therapy may be required. 5.2 Relapse of Infection In mixed P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections, P. vivax parasite relapse occurred commonly when patients were treated with atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride alone. In the event of recrudescent P. falciparum infections after treatment with Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets or failure of chemoprophylaxis with Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets, patients should be treated with a different blood schizonticide. 5.3 Hepatotoxicity Elevated liver laboratory tests and cases of hepatitis and hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation have been reported with prophylactic use of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. 5.4 Severe or Complicated Malaria Atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride has not been evaluated for the treatment of cerebral malaria or other severe manifestations of complicated malaria, including hyperparasitemia, pulmonary edema, or renal failure. Patients with severe malaria are not candidates for oral therapy.
Who should not take Malarone
Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in individuals with known hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, erythema multiforme or Stevens-Johnson syndrome, angioedema, vasculitis) to atovaquone or proguanil hydrochloride or any component of the formulation. • Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated for prophylaxis of P. falciparum malaria in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min) because of pancytopenia in patients with severe renal impairment treated with proguanil [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . • Known serious hypersensitivity reactions to atovaquone or proguanil hydrochloride or any component of the formulation. ( 4 ) • Prophylaxis of P. falciparum malaria in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min). ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
There is no information on overdoses of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride substantially higher than the doses recommended for treatment. There is no known antidote for atovaquone, and it is currently unknown if atovaquone is dialyzable. Overdoses up to 31,500 mg of atovaquone have been reported. In one such patient who also took an unspecified dose of dapsone, methemoglobinemia occurred. Rash has also been reported after overdose. Overdoses of proguanil hydrochloride as large as 1,500 mg have been followed by complete recovery, and doses as high as 700 mg twice daily have been taken for over 2 weeks without serious toxicity. Adverse experiences occasionally associated with proguanil hydrochloride doses of 100 to 200 mg/day, such as epigastric discomfort and vomiting, would be likely to occur with overdose. There are also reports of reversible hair loss and scaling of the skin on the palms and/or soles, reversible aphthous ulceration, and hematologic side effects.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Administration with rifampin or rifabutin is known to reduce atovaquone concentrations; concomitant use with Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets is not recommended. ( 7.1 ) • Proguanil may potentiate anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarin-based anticoagulants. Caution advised when initiating or withdrawing Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets in patients on anticoagulants; coagulation tests should be closely monitored. ( 7.2 ) • Tetracycline may reduce atovaquone concentrations; parasitemia should be closely monitored. ( 7.3 ) 7.1 Rifampin/Rifabutin Concomitant administration of rifampin or rifabutin is known to reduce atovaquone concentrations [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . The concomitant administration of Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets and rifampin or rifabutin is not recommended. 7.2 Anticoagulants Proguanil may potentiate the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other coumarin-based anticoagulants. The mechanism of this potential drug interaction has not been established. Caution is advised when initiating or withdrawing malaria prophylaxis or treatment with Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets in patients on continuous treatment with coumarin-based anticoagulants. When these products are administered concomitantly, coagulation tests should be closely monitored. 7.3 Tetracycline Concomitant treatment with tetracycline has been associated with a reduction in plasma concentrations of atovaquone [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Parasitemia should be closely monitored in patients receiving tetracycline. 7.4 Metoclopramide While antiemetics may be indicated for patients receiving Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride tablets, metoclopramide may reduce the bioavailability of atovaquone and should be used only if other antiemetics are not available [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.5 Indinavir Concomitant administration of atovaquone and indinavir did not result in any change in the steady‑state AUC and C max of indinavir but resulted in a decrease in the C trough of indinavir [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Caution should be exercised when prescribing atovaquone with indinavir due to the decrease in trough concentrations of indinavir.
Dosage forms
Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
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Frequently asked questions
- How is Malarone rated?
- pharmaranks gives Malarone a composite score of 3.5 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Malarone cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.72 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Malarone?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Malarone. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Malarone?
- Malarone is marketed by Glaxosmithkline. You can see Glaxosmithkline's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Malarone a brand-name or generic drug?
- Malarone is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Atovaquone and Proguanil Hydrochloride.
- Is Malarone available over the counter?
- No. Malarone is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Malarone come in?
- Malarone is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- Is Malarone FDA-registered?
- Malarone is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA021078. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Malarone been recalled by the FDA?
- Malarone has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Malarone safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Malarone a recall-safety score of 70/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Malarone?
- Malarone's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Prophylaxis: Common adverse reactions (≥4%) in adults were diarrhea, dreams, oral ulcers, and headache; these events occurred in a similar or lower proportion of subjects receiving atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride than an active comparator.… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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malarone
70/100