Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Mepron

What MEPRON is used for:

MEPRON is used to treat Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP).
You can get PCP when your lungs are infected with a fungus called Pneumocystis jirovecii.

How MEPRON works:

This medicine prevents the fungus responsible for PCP from growing.

The ingredients in MEPRON are:

Medicinal ingredient(s): Atovaquone

Non-medicinal ingredients: Benzyl alcohol, flavor (tutti frutti), polaxamer 188, purified water, saccharin sodium, xantham gum

MEPRON comes in the following dosage form(s):

MEPRON is a bright yellow liquid. It tastes sweet and fruity. Each bottle contains 210 mL of MEPRON (750 mg/5 mL) and has a cap that children cannot open.

Do not use MEPRON if:

You are allergic to atovaquone or to any of the ingredients in MEPRON (Read also “The ingredients in MEPRON are” above)

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take MEPRON. 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
Are over 65 years of age
Have had severe skin reactions with MEPRON

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 MEPRON:

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 MEPRON:

It is important to drink MEPRON 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 dose:

Drink 5 mL (one teaspoonful) of MEPRON twice each day, with your meals. Take this medicine for 21 days (i.e. one 5 mL spoonful of medicine in the morning and evening with food).

If you can eat only one meal a day, drink 10 mL (two teaspoonfuls) of MEPRON once each day with your meal. Take this medicine for 21 days.

Overdose:

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much MEPRON, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.

Missed dose:

If you missed a dose of MEPRON, 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.

Possible side effects from using MEPRON:

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking MEPRON. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell 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

Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom	Talk to your healthcare professional	Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help
Only if severe	In all cases
Common
Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: hives, swelling, difficulty in breathing, throat tightness			✓
Very Rare
Severe Skin Reactions: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS): flu-like symptoms with a rash, fever, swollen glands, and abnormal blood test results.			✓
Unknown
Serious skin reactions: erythema multiforme. This is a skin rash. It may blister. It looks like small targets (central dark spots, surrounded by a paler area with a dark ring around the edge). Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This is a widespread rash. Blisters will form. The skin will peel, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals.			✓
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,			✓
Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom	Talk to your healthcare professional	Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help
Only if severe	In all cases
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, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your healthcare 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 25°C (between 59°F and 77°F). Store it in a dark area, protected from the light. Do NOT store it near a heat source. Do NOT freeze it.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about MEPRON:

Talk to your healthcare professional
Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (Drug Product Database: Access the database); the manufacturer’s website www.gsk.ca; or by calling 1-800-387-7474.

Date of Authorization: 2026-03-05

Trademarks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies.

Rx or OTC	Prescription (Rx)?
DIN	02217422
Schedule(s)	PRESCRIPTION
Active ingredient(s)	Atovaquone 750 MG
Dosage form(s)	Suspension
Route(s) of administration	Oral
Drug class (WHO ATC)	P Antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellents P01 Antiprotozoals P01A Agents against amoebiasis and other protozoal diseases P01AX Other agents against amoebiasis and other protozoal diseases P01AX06 Atovaquone
Company	GLAXOSMITHKLINE INC
Current status	Marketed
Current status date	February 25, 2002

Mepron: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage