Malarone paediatric

How does it work?

Malarone paediatric tablets contain two active ingredients, proguanil hydrochloride and atovaquone. These are both medicines that are active against the parasite that causes malaria.

Malaria is a potentially fatal disease caused by various types of parasites known as Plasmodium. Plasmodium are carried by mosquitoes and are injected into the bloodstream during a bite from an infected mosquito. Once inside the body the parasite reproduces, resulting in the disease.

Proguanil works by stopping the parasite from reproducing once it is in the bloodstream. It does this by blocking the action of a compound that is found in the Plasmodium parasite. This compound is an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase, and is involved in the reproduction of the parasite.

Dihydrofolate reductase normally converts folic acid into folinic acid in the parasite, which is a step essential for the parasite to produce new genetic material (DNA). New DNA is necessary for the parasite to reproduce. By blocking it's production, proguanil prevents malarial parasites in the blood from reproducing and increasing in number.

Atovaquone also works by interfering with the production of substances needed by the malarial parasites to reproduce. It works in a slightly different way, however, so these two medicines work in combination against the Plasmodium parasite.

Proguanil with atovaquone is used to prevent malaria caused by a type of Plasmodium called Plasmodium falciparum. This parasite causes the most serious form of malaria (malignant malaria). Proguanil with atovaquone may be particularly useful for preventing malaria in travellers to areas where this parasite is known to be resistant to other antimalarial medicines, such as chloroquine. To prevent malaria, this medicine is taken every day, starting 24 to 48 hours before entering the malarious region. It should be taken throughout the stay, and continued for a week after leaving the malarious area.

Higher doses of proguanil and atovaquone are also used to treat uncomplicated malaria caused by infection with the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. However, this combination of medicines has not been evaluated for the treatment of more complicated or severe malaria affecting the brain, lungs or kidneys.

What is it used for?

Preventing Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children weighing between 11kg and 40kg

Treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children weighing between 5kg and 11kg

Warning!

To prevent malaria, this medicine is taken once a day. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to give your child. The medicine should be started 24 to 48 hours before entering the malarial area. It should then be taken during the stay (which should not exceed 28 days) and be continued for 7 days after leaving the area.

The medicine should be given at the same time each day with food or a milky drink.

If your child vomits within one hour of taking a dose, you should give another dose then go on as before. If this happens you will need to contact a doctor to replace the tablet(s) the child brought up.

To prevent malaria it is important that this medicine is taken regularly. Try not to forget a dose. You should still take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitos, such as using mosquito repellants and sleeping under mosquito nets. This is particularly important if the child has vomiting or diarrhoea, because this could make the tablets less effective. If your child falls ill within one year of your return, and especially if within three months of your return, you should consult your doctor immediately and let him know that you have visited a country where malaria is endemic.

Malarone paediatric is not recommended for preventing malaria in children who weigh less than 11kg.

If your child gets Plasmodium falciparum malaria despite using this medicine for prevention, or if malaria comes back after being treated with this medicine, the infection should be treated with a different antimalarial.

Use with caution in

Decreased kidney function

Not to be used in

Severely decreased kidney function (if for malaria prevention)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Label warnings

Take this medication with or after food.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Disturbances of the gut such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain

Fever (pyrexia)

Headache

Inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis)

Mouth ulcers

Loss of appetite

Dizziness

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Cough

Low blood sodium level (hyponatraemia)

Low red blood cell count (anaemia)

Decrease in the number of a type of white blood cell (neutrophil) in the blood (neutropenia)

Hair loss (alopecia)

Allergic reactions such as rash, or severe swelling of lips, face or tongue (angioedema)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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