Proguanil con atovaquone per la prevenzione della malaria

About proguanil with atovaquone

Proguanil with atovaquone tablets are used to prevent malaria. Malaria is a serious infection. It is common in tropical countries such as parts of Africa, Asia and South America. Malaria is a disease which is passed on to humans by infected mosquitoes. A parasite called plasmodium lives inside the stomachs of infected female mosquitoes and is passed on to humans by a bite.

Poiché il modello di malaria varia a seconda della parte del mondo in cui si viaggia, della stagione e del tipo di attività pianificata, è sempre consigliabile ottenere le ultime indicazioni sulla prevenzione della malaria dal proprio medico, farmacista o organizzatore di viaggi. Un viaggio zaino in spalla potrebbe richiedere misure preventive contro la malaria diverse da quelle necessarie per un viaggio d'affari in città.

Proguanil with atovaquone is usually obtained on a prescription from a doctor; however, it is not prescribable on the NHS. This means that you will be given a private (non-NHS) prescription and you will be asked to pay for the tablets. Proguanil with atovaquone tablets (Maloff Protect®) can also be bought from a pharmacy without the need for a doctor's prescription. You will still be asked for details of your health and travel plans to ensure the medicines are suitable.

Proguanil with atovaquone can also be used to treat some forms of malaria if you become infected. This leaflet does not contain information about this, but your doctor can give you more information if you have been prescribed it for this reason.

Before taking proguanil with 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 the tablets it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• If you have kidney problems.

• 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 proguanil with atovaquone

• Before you take proguanil with atovaquone, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about the tablets and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking them.

• You should start taking the tablets 1 or 2 days before you enter the area which has malaria. This is to ensure there is sufficient medicine in your bloodstream to give you the required protection. Take one dose each day throughout your stay, and then continue to take one dose a day for a further seven days after you leave the area. There are two strengths of tablets: 250 mg/100 mg tablets which are suitable for adults and children weighing more than 40 kg, and 62.5 mg /25 mg tablets which are suitable for children weighing between 11 kg and 40 kg:
  

  • The dose for an adult or a child weighing over 40 kg is one 250 mg/100 mg tablet daily.

  • The dose for a child weighing 31-40 kg is three 62.5 mg/25 mg tablets daily.

  • The dose for a child weighing 21-31 kg is two 62.5 mg/25 mg tablets daily.

  • The dose for a child weighing 11-21 kg is one 62.5 mg/25 mg tablet daily.

• Where possible, take the tablets with a snack or a milky drink and try to take your doses at about the same time of day, each day. The tablets are best swallowed whole, but for children who have problems swallowing tablets, they can be crushed and mixed into soft food or a milky drink if needed. You should ensure the child consumes the entire mixture to get the full dose.

• If you are sick (vomit) less than one hour after taking the tablet(s) you should take another dose. If it happens more than one hour afterwards, the medicines will have already entered your bloodstream so another dose is not needed.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose. You should complete the course of tablets unless you are told otherwise by a doctor. Make sure you continue to take the tablets for seven days after your visit has finished.

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

• These tablets will help prevent you from getting malaria, but it is also important that you take the following precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes:
  

  • Copri le zone scoperte di braccia e gambe con abiti a maniche lunghe, larghi e comodi, pantaloni lunghi e calze. Questo è particolarmente importante se sei all'aperto dopo il tramonto, poiché è il momento in cui le zanzare si nutrono.

  • Use an effective insect repellent spray on your clothing and any area of your skin which is bare.

  • Spruzza la stanza con un insetticida ogni sera, un paio d'ore prima di andare a dormire. Controlla le aree in cui dormi per le zanzare - presta particolare attenzione ai mobili e alle zone sotto il letto dove gli insetti possono nascondersi.

  • Se dormi in una stanza senza zanzariera, usa una zanzariera impregnate di insetticida.

• If you need to take a medicine for indigestion (such as an antacid), do not take it during the two hours before you take proguanil with atovaquone, or during the two hours after you take it. This is because some magnesium-containing antacids interfere with the way one of the medicines (proguanil) is absorbed by your body, making it less effective.

• If you take a medicine called warfarin to prevent blood clots you may need to have your warfarin dose adjusted. You should ask for an INR appointment to be arranged prior to travel and start taking proguanil with atovaquone at least two days before the appointment.

• If you feel ill or develop a fever or flu-like symptoms while you are travelling or within one year of returning home, you should see your doctor straightaway. This is important, even if you have taken your anti-malarial tablets correctly.

Can proguanil with 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.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.

How to store proguanil with 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.

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali