|  | Conditions Treatments | Diseases

Malarone Uses

Malarone is an antimalarial drug prescribed for malaria prevention or treatment. Malaria is an infectious disease that frequently occurs in Africa, Asia and South America. The disease has an incubation period of 7 to 30 days before symptoms begin to show. Malaria is treatable, but it is deadly if untreated.

  1. Malaria

    • The plasmodium parasite causes the malaria infection. The four types of plasmodium parasites are falciparum, vivax, malariae and ovale. Infected mosquitoes spread the parasite from host to host. The parasite enters the body and infects the liver and red blood cells. The infected blood cells rupture and release infectious agents into the bloodstream causing disease. Common malaria symptoms include fever, headache, chills and vomiting. Without treatment, malaria is fatal, progressing to kidney failure, severe anemia and respiratory distress.

    Atovaquone and Proguanil

    • Malarone is produced by GlaxoSmithKline as an oral medication tablet and is composed of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. Atovaquine inhibits the replication of disease-causing organisms in the body and is commonly prescribed to treat various infectious diseases. Proguanil is an antimalarial drug. The drug combination works to treat and prevent malaria infection by blocking replication and growth of infectious parasites. The medication is available in adult and pediatric dosages.

    Malaria Prevention

    • Travelers with minimum past exposure have low immunity and are vulnerable to malaria infection. However, all persons traveling to areas of high malaria occurrence are prescribed Malarone as a prevention regimen. The regimen includes daily medication that begins one to two days before entering a high-risk area. The daily medication continues during the trip and for at least seven days after leaving a high-risk area.

    Malaria Treatment

    • Malarone is prescribed as a daily medication for patients already infected with malaria. The medication is taken for three days with food to reduce risk of side effects. Pediatric dosage is half the content the adult dosage.

    Side Effects and Safety

    • Side effects of Malarone include nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, headache and diarrhea. Severe side effects that require emergency medical attention include uncontrollable vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, severe skin rash, clay-colored stool, dark urine, jaundice and difficulty with speech or balance. Malarone is not recommended for patients with kidney disease, liver disease or malaria complications, or for those already suffering from vomiting or diarrhea.

Diseases - Related Articles