Atovaquone per la polmonite da pneumocystis

About atovaquone

Atovaquone is used to treat a chest infection called pneumocystis pneumonia. This lung infection is caused by an organism called Pneumocystis jirovecii and occurs in people whose immune system has been weakened - for example, by AIDS. Atovaquone is prescribed when other treatments cannot be used. It is prescribed by doctors who are specialists.

Atovaquone works by killing the organism causing the infection.

Before taking atovaquone

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking atovaquone it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

• Se hai problemi al fegato o ai reni.

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

How to take atovaquone

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about atovaquone and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take the medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to, and remember to shake the bottle well before you pour out your doses. The usual dose is one 5 ml spoonful twice daily (morning and night) for 21 days.

• It is very important that you take your doses with food, preferably foods that are high in fat. This is because high-fat foods help your body absorb atovaquone and make your treatment more effective. If you have difficulty eating meals for any reason, let your doctor know about this.

• Try to take atovaquone at the same times each day as this will help you remember to take it.

• If you forget to take a dose, take one as soon as you remember (with some food) but do not take two doses together.

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. Your doctor will want to do some tests during this treatment to check that the medicine is working for you.

• Remember to take the full course of this medicine.

• If you have any medical or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

• Se acquisti dei medicinali, verifica con un farmacista che siano adatti da assumere insieme agli altri tuoi medicinali.
  

Can atovaquone cause problems?

Oltre ai loro effetti benefici, la maggior parte dei farmaci può causare effetti collaterali indesiderati, anche se non tutti li sperimentano. Questi di solito migliorano man mano che il tuo corpo si adatta al nuovo farmaco, ma parla con il tuo medico o farmacista se uno dei seguenti effetti collaterali persiste o diventa fastidioso.

Importante: if you become breathless or start having breathing problems, or if you notice any swelling of your mouth, throat or face, you should contact a doctor immediatamente. These could be signs of an allergic-type reaction.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti a questo medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista.

How to store atovaquone

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

• This medicine will keep for 21 days once the bottle has been opened.

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali