Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Apo-Atovaquone
What is APO-ATOVAQUONE used for?
- APO-ATOVAQUONE is used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
- You can get PCP when your lungs are infected with a fungus called Pneumocystis carinii.
How does APO-ATOVAQUONE work?
- This medicine prevents the fungus responsible for PCP from growing.
What are the ingredients in APO-ATOVAQUONE?
Medicinal ingredients: Atovaquone
Non-medicinal ingredients: Benzyl alcohol, flavour (citrus), poloxamer 188, purified water, saccharin sodium, and xanthan gum
APO-ATOVAQUONE comes in the following dosage form:
APO-ATOVAQUONE is a bright yellow liquid with a citrus aroma. Each bottle contains 210 mL of APO-ATOVAQUONE (750 mg/5 mL) and has a cap that children cannot open.
Do not use APO-ATOVAQUONE if:
You are allergic to atovaquone or to any of the ingredients in APO-ATOVAQUONE (Read also
“What are the ingredients in APO-ATOVAQUONE?” above).
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take APO-ATOVAQUONE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- currently have diarrhea
- have kidney problems
are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with APO-ATOVAQUONE:
- tetracycline, rifampicin, rifabutin, and cephalosporins, drugs used to treat bacterial infections
- metoclopramide, a drug used to treat symptoms of slowed stomach emptying
- acetaminophen, a drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever (also included in cold and flu remedies)
- benzodiazepines and opiates (like codeine), drugs used to treat anxiety and pain
- acyclovir, a drug used to treat herpes
- medicines used to treat diarrhea
- laxatives
- zidovudine and indinavir, drugs used to treat HIV infection/AIDS
How to take APO-ATOVAQUONE:
It is important to drink APO-ATOVAQUONE with a meal. This will help the medicine to work properly. Drink it with your morning meal and your evening meal. If you can eat only one meal a day, take your whole daily dose with your daily meal. Before you pour each dose, shake the bottle gently.
Usual adult dose
Drink 5 mL (one teaspoonful) of APO-ATOVAQUONE twice each day, with your meals. Take this medicine for 21 days.
If you can eat only one meal a day, drink 10 mL (two teaspoonfuls) of APO-ATOVAQUONE once each day with your meal. Take this medicine for 21 days.
Overdose:
If you think you have taken too much APO-ATOVAQUONE, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed dose:
If you missed a dose of APO-ATOVAQUONE, take it as soon as you remember (with a meal) and then take the next dose at the right time (again with a meal). Do not take more than 10 mL (two teaspoonfuls) a day in total.
What are possible side effects from using APO-ATOVAQUONE?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking APO-ATOVAQUONE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- headache, fever
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation
- trouble sleeping, dizziness, feeling weak and achy
- sweating, rash, itching, hives
- thrush (yeast infection in the mouth)
- eye problems
- kidney problems
Side effects that may show up in a blood test:
- low levels of sodium in the blood (hyponatremia)
- changes in liver enzymes
- low numbers of red blood cells (anemia), which can cause tiredness, headaches and shortness of breath
- low numbers of white blood cells (neutropenia)
- high levels of amylase (an enzyme produced in the pancreas)
- high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
- high levels of methemoglobin (a protein in the blood)
- low numbers of platelets in the blood
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
COMMON Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: hives, swelling, difficulty in breathing, throat tightness | |||
UNKNOWN Serious skin reactions:
| |||
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): sudden pain in the upper area of the abdomen (belly), nausea/vomiting, fever, sweating, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes | |||
Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver): yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, dark or tea-coloured urine, pale-coloured stools (bowel movements), nausea/ vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, aching or tenderness on right side below the ribs | |||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
| |
| (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect- | |
| canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail | |
| or by fax; or | |
|
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
Store this medicine at room temperature, between 15°C and 30°C.
Store it in a dark area, protected from the light. Do NOT store it near a heat source. Do NOT freeze it.
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it or see it.
If you want more information about APO-ATOVAQUONE:
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website; the manufacturer’s website: http://www.apotex.ca/products, or by contacting DISpedia, Apotex’s Drug Information Service at: 1-800-667-4708.