Atovaquone per la polmonite da pneumocystis
Wellvone
Revisione paritaria di Sid DajaniUltimo aggiornamento di Michael Stewart, MRPharmSUltimo aggiornamento 24 Ago 2022
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It is important to take atovaquone with food, preferably food which has a high fat content.
Take one 5 ml spoonful of medicine in the morning and one 5 ml spoonful in the evening for 21 days.
If you have problems with loose, watery stools (diarrhoea) when you first start treatment, tell your doctor.
At a glance
Atovaquone is an oral liquid medicine for treating pneumocystis pneumonia.
This chest infection is caused by an organism called Pneumocystis jirovecii.
Take your dose twice daily for 21 days, exactly as your doctor tells you.
Always take atovaquone with food, preferably high-fat foods.
Common side-effects include feeling sick, an itchy skin rash, or diarrhoea.
Seek medical help immediately for new breathlessness, breathing problems, or swelling of your mouth, throat or face.
An opened bottle of atovaquone keeps for 21 days.
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About atovaquone
Tipo di medicinale | Antiprotozoal |
Utilizzato per | Pneumonia caused by an organism called Pneumocystis jirovecii |
Chiamato anche | Wellvone® |
Disponibile come | Oral liquid medicine |
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
Torna ai contenutiSome 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.
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How to take atovaquone
Torna ai contenutiBefore 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
Torna ai contenutiKeep 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.
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Can atovaquone cause problems?
Torna ai contenutiOltre 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.
Very common atovaquone side-effects - these affect more than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo? |
Sensazione di nausea | Stick to simple meals. Remember to take your doses with a meal |
An itchy skin rash | Se questo diventa problematico, parla con il tuo medico |
Common atovaquone side-effects - these affect fewer than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | Cosa posso fare se sperimento questo? |
Feci molli e acquose (diarrea) | Let your doctor know about this, particularly if it is at the start of your treatment. It may mean that your body is not absorbing the full dose of atovaquone and the treatment could be less effective for you |
Essere malato (vomito) | If you are sick up to one hour after taking your dose you may need to take another dose. Contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice |
Mal di testa | Bevi molta acqua e chiedi al farmacista di consigliare un antidolorifico adatto. Se i mal di testa persistono, informa il tuo medico |
Difficulty sleeping, high temperature | Se uno di questi diventa problematico, parla con il tuo medico |
Modifiche ad alcuni esami del sangue | Your doctor will want to monitor you for these although you are unlikely to notice any symptoms. Let your doctor know if you start to feel unusually tired |
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
Torna ai contenutiTenere 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
Torna ai contenutiInformazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali
Non assumere mai più della dose prescritta. Se sospetti che tu o qualcun altro possa aver assunto un sovradosaggio di questo medicinale, recati immediatamente al pronto soccorso del tuo ospedale locale. Porta con te il contenitore, anche se è vuoto.
Questo medicinale è per te. Non darlo mai ad altre persone, anche se la loro condizione sembra essere la stessa della tua.
Non conservare medicinali scaduti o indesiderati. Portali alla tua farmacia locale che li smaltirà per te.
Se hai domande su questo medicinale, chiedi al tuo farmacista.
Segnala effetti collaterali di un medicinale o vaccino
Se si verificano effetti collaterali, è possibile segnalarli online tramite il Yellow Card website.

Non sei sicuro di mescolare i medicinali?
Controlla le possibili interazioni tra farmaci, integratori e alimenti prima di assumerli insieme.
Domande frequenti
What kind of infection does atovaquone treat?
Atovaquone is used to treat a specific type of chest infection called pneumocystis pneumonia. This infection affects the lungs and is caused by an organism known as Pneumocystis jirovecii.
Why is this medication prescribed, and who can get it?
This medication is prescribed when other treatments for pneumocystis pneumonia cannot be used. It's intended for people whose immune system has been weakened, such as those with AIDS. Only specialist doctors can prescribe atovaquone.
How long will I need to take atovaquone?
The usual course of treatment for atovaquone is 21 days, taking one 5 ml spoonful twice daily.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of atovaquone?
If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Make sure to take it with some food. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one.
How can I make sure my body absorbs the medicine effectively?
It is crucial to take your doses with food, especially foods that are high in fat. High-fat foods help your body absorb atovaquone better, which makes the treatment more effective. If you have trouble eating meals, you should tell your doctor.
How can I manage common side effects like nausea or diarrhoea?
For feeling sick (nausea), try to stick to simple meals and always remember to take your doses with food. If you experience loose, watery stools (diarrhoea), inform your doctor, particularly if it happens early in your treatment, as it might affect how well the medicine is absorbed. If you are sick within one hour of taking your dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice, as you might need another dose.
What are the signs of a serious allergic reaction to atovaquone?
If you become breathless, start having breathing problems, or notice any swelling of your mouth, throat, or face, you should contact a doctor immediately. These symptoms could indicate a serious allergic-type reaction.
How should I store atovaquone once I've opened the bottle?
Once the bottle of atovaquone has been opened, it will only keep for 21 days. Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light, and always keep it out of the reach and sight of children.
Ulteriori letture e riferimenti
- Manufacturer's PIL, Wellvone® 750 mg/5 ml oral suspension; GlaxoSmithKline UK, The electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated September 2020.
- Medicinali Completi BNF 89ª Edizione; Associazione Medica Britannica e Società Farmaceutica Reale di Gran Bretagna, Londra.
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About the authorView full bio

Michael Stewart, MRPharmS
Medicine Leaflet Review Manager – Contractor, Pharmacist
BPharm (Hons), MRPharmS
Michael is a community pharmacist practicing in the Midlands and South Yorkshire with more than 20 years’ experience advising on medicines and medical conditions. He has a strong background in healthcare training, having produced and delivered training courses for pharmacy teams and staff of residential care settings, including nurses. He has also contributed to pharmacy advisory boards for the management of low acuity conditions in the community.
About the reviewer

Sid Dajani
Sultan Dajani qualified at the London School of Pharmacy in 1994 and became the youngest elected member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society council since its founding in 1842.
Storia dell'articolo
Le informazioni su questa pagina sono scritte e revisionate da clinici qualificati.
Prossima revisione prevista: 22 Feb 2027
24 Ago 2022 | Ultima versione

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