Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Malarone is the trade name of an antimalarial drug distributed in Poland by GSK Commercial Sp. z o. o. (the producer is GlaxoSmithKline – Ireland). It is issued only with a prescription by a doctor with a 100% fee – it is not reimbursed by the National Health Fund. One pack of the drug contains 12 Malarone film-coated tablets.
How does Malarone work?
The active substances in Malarone are atovaquone (250 mg) and proguanil (100 mg proguanil hydrochloride). Malarone works against the protozoan Plasmodium falciparum, or the sickle cell disease. It is one of four species of plague that causes malaria in humans. The disease is transmitted by the moth mosquito, infections occur mainly in Africa south of the Sahara (the so-called Black Africa inhabited mainly by black people). The active substances in Malarone kill the sickle cell disease (a developmental form) by interfering with the replication of its nucleic acids.
When Malarone should be used
Malarone is used not only to treat but also to prevent sickle cell malaria, especially when it is resistant to treatment with other antimalarial drugs. For prophylactic use, treatment should be started 1-2 days before arriving in an area at risk of developing malaria and continued for 7 days after returning from that area, while malaria treatment itself only takes 3 days.
Contraindications to the use of Malarone and precautions
Malarone must not be used in case of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients. Another contraindication to its use is severe renal failure.
The drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation – during pregnancy, it can be used only when absolutely necessary under the supervision of a doctor, when the potential benefits of treatment outweigh the risks associated with its use.
Malarone may interact with other medications, e.g. some antibiotics and anticoagulants, so always read the leaflet carefully and inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
Side effects of Malarone
Taking Malarone may be associated with side effects. Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may very often occur. Other common side effects include anemia, neutropenia (low levels of one type of white blood cell called neutrophils), dizziness, allergic reactions, depression, fever, cough, strange dreams, insomnia, anorexia, low sodium levels, among others.
In connection with some side effects, it should be taken into account that the preparation may impair psychomotor performance – in the event of dizziness, do not drive or operate any equipment and protect against falling due to loss of balance.