Atovaquone/proguanil for the prophylaxis and treatment of malaria.
Increases in international travel and escalating drug resistance have resulted in a growing number of travelers at risk of contracting malaria. Drug resistance and intolerance to standard agents such as chloroquine, sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine and mefloquine has highlighted the need for new antimalarials. The recently licensed fixed combination of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride (Malarone) is a promising new agent to prevent and treat Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Randomized controlled trials have shown that atovaquone/proguanil is well tolerated and efficacious for the prevention and treatment of drug-resistant P. falciparum malaria. Atovaquone/proguanil is active against the liver stage of P. falciparum malaria parasites and when used as a prophylactic agent it can be discontinued shortly after leaving malaria-endemic areas, offering a clear advantage for drug adherence.
Patel
Samir N
SN
Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. sn.patel@utoronto.ca
Kain
Kevin C
KC
D000818:Animals; D053626:Atovaquone; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009285:Naphthoquinones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002727:Proguanil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D009285:Naphthoquinones; D002727:Proguanil; D053626:Atovaquone