Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Malarone.
Depression and mental illness: People taking Malarone may feel agitated (restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional, and feeling not like themselves), or they may want to hurt themselves or others. These symptoms may occur within several weeks after starting Malarone. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking Malarone, contact your doctor immediately.
If you have a history of mental illness or depression, discuss with your doctor how Malarone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Malarone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Dizziness: Malarone may cause dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid these and other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Malarone affects you.
Epilepsy: Rarely, seizures have been reported by people taking Malarone. If you have epilepsy or a history of seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how Malarone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Malarone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Malarone to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how Malarone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Malarone, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Malarone is not recommended for people with severe kidney impairment.
Pregnancy: Malarone should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Malarone, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if atovaquone passes into breast milk. Proguanil passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking atovaquone - proguanil, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Atovaquone - proguanil may be used for treating malaria in children who are at least 3 years old and weigh at least 11 kilograms. Atovaquone - proguanil may be used for preventing malaria in children who weigh at least 11 kilograms. The safety and effectiveness of using Malarone for children smaller than this have not been determined and should be avoided.