Patient leaflet in accordance with the Pharmacists’ Regulations (Preparations) – 1986
The medicine is dispensed according to a physician’s prescription only
Malarone™ Tablets For Adults 250 mg/100 mg Film coated tablets
Malarone™ Paediatric Tablets 62.5 mg/25 mg Film coated tablets
The active ingredients and their quantity:
Malarone Tablets For Adults
Each tablet contains 250 mg atovaquone and 100 mg proguanil hydrochloride
Malarone Paediatric Tablets
Each tablet contains 62.5 mg atovaquone and 25 mg proguanil hydrochloride
List of the additional ingredients detailed in section 6.
Read the entire leaflet carefully before using the medicine. This leaflet contains concise information
about the medicine. If you have any other questions, refer to the physician or the pharmacist.
This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them even if it seems
to you that their medical condition is similar.
1. What is the medicine intended for?
Prevention of Malaria
Malarone is indicated for the prophylaxis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, including in areas where
chloroquine resistance has been reported.
Treatment of Malaria
Malarone is indicated for the treatment of acute, uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Malarone has been
shown to be effective in regions where the drugs chloroquine, halofantrine, mefloquine and amodiaquine
may have unacceptable treatment failure rates, presumably due to drug resistance.
Malarone Paediatric Tablets is recommended for paediatric patients who weigh over 11 kg.
Malaria is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, which passes the malaria parasite (Plasmodium
falciparum) into the bloodstream. Malarone prevents malaria by killing this parasite. For people who are
already infected with malaria, Malarone also kills these parasites.
Protect yourself from catching malaria.
People of any age can get malaria. It is a serious disease, but is preventable.
As well as taking Malarone, it is very important that you also take steps to avoid being bitten by
mosquitoes.
Use insect repellent on exposed areas of the skin
Wear light coloured clothing that covers most of the body, especially after sunset as this is the time
when mosquitoes are most active
Sleep in a screened room or under a mosquito net impregnated with insecticide
Close windows and doors at sunset, if they are not screened
Consider using an insecticide (mats, spray, plug-ins) to clear a room of insects or to deter mosquitoes
from entering the room.
If you need further advice, talk to your physician or pharmacist.
It is still possible to get malaria after taking the necessary precautions. Some types of malaria
infection take a long time to cause symptoms, so the illness may not start until several days, weeks or
even months after returning from abroad.
See a physician immediately if you get symptoms such as high temperature, headache, shivering and
tiredness after returning home.
Therapeutic group
Malarone belongs to a group of medicines called antimalarials. It contains two active ingredients:
atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride.
2. Before using the medicine
Do not use the medicine:
• if you are sensitive (allergic) to atovaquone, proguanil hydrochloride or to any of the additional
ingredients contained in the medicine, as listed in section 6.
• for preventing malaria, if you have severe kidney disease.
Tell your physician if either of these apply to you.
Special warnings regarding the use of the medicine
Before the treatment with Malarone, tell the physician if you have a severe renal impairment, or severe
or persistent diarrhea or vomiting.
If you are taking or have recently taken other medicines including non-prescription medicines and
food supplements, tell the physician or the pharmacist. Some medicines can affect the way Malarone
works, or Malarone itself can strengthen or weaken the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the
same time. These include:
metoclopramide, used to treat nausea and vomiting
the antibiotics, tetracycline, rifampicin and rifabutin
warfarin and other medicines that stop blood clotting
indinavir, highly active protease-inhibitor used to treat HIV.
Tell your physician if you are taking any of these. Your physician may decide that Malarone isn’t suitable
for you, or that you need extra check ups while you’re taking it.
Remember to tell your physician if you start taking any other medicines while you’re taking Malarone.
Using the medicine and food
Take Malarone with food or a milky drink, where possible. This will increase the amount of Malarone
your body can absorb, and make your treatment more effective.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, do not take Malarone unless your physician recommends it.
Ask your physician or pharmacist for advice before taking Malarone.
Driving and using machines
If you feel dizzy, do not drive.
Malarone makes some people feel dizzy. If this happens to you, do not drive, use machines or take part
in activities where you may put yourself or others at risk.
If you are sick (vomit)
For preventing malaria:
if you are sick (vomit) within 1 hour of taking your Malarone tablet, take another dose straight
away
it is important to take the full course of Malarone. If you have to take extra tablets due to sickness,
you may need another prescription.
if you have been vomiting, it is especially important to use extra protection, such as repellents and
bednets. Malarone may not be as effective, as the amount absorbed will be reduced.
For treating malaria:
if you have vomiting and diarrhoea tell your physician, you will need regular blood tests. Malarone will
not be as effective, as the amount absorbed will be reduced. The tests will check whether the malaria
parasite is being cleared from your blood.
3. How should you use the medicine?
Always use according to the physician’s instructions.
You should check with the physician or the pharmacist if you are unsure.
The dosage and treatment will be determined only by the physician. The usual dosage is:
To prevent malaria
Adults
The usual dose for adults is 1 Malarone tablet for adults (adult strength = 250 mg atovaquone/100 mg
proguanil hydrochloride) once a day.
Children
For children the dose depends on their body weight:
Weight
(kg)
Atovaquone/
Proguanil HCl
Total Daily Dose
Dosage Regimen
11-20
62.5 mg/25 mg
1 Malarone Paediatric Tablet daily
21-30
125 mg/50 mg
2 Malarone Paediatric Tablets as a single daily dose
31-40
187.5 mg/75 mg
3 Malarone Paediatric Tablets as a single daily dose
>40
250 mg/100 mg
1 Malarone Tablet For Adults as a single daily dose
To prevent malaria:
start taking Malarone 1 to 2 days before travelling to an area which has malaria
continue taking it every day during your stay
continue taking it for another 7 days after your return to a malaria-free area.
To treat malaria
Adults
The usual dose for adults is 4 tablets (adult strength; total daily dose 1 g atovaquone/400 mg proguanil
hydrochloride) once a day for 3 days.
Children
For children the dose depends on their body weight:
Weight
(kg)
Atovaquone/
Proguanil HCl
Total Daily Dose
Dosage Regimen
11-20
250 mg/100 mg
1 Malarone Tablet For Adults daily for 3 consecutive days
21-30
500 mg/200 mg
2 Malarone Tablet For Adults as a single daily dose for 3 consecutive
days
31-40
750 mg/300 mg
3 Malarone Tablet For Adults as a single daily dose for 3 consecutive
days
>40
1 g/400 mg
4 Malarone Tablet For Adults as a single daily dose for 3 consecutive
days
Malarone tablets are not recommended for treating malaria in children who weigh less than 11 kg.
It is best to take Malarone at the same time each day.
Do not exceed the recommended dose
The tablets should be swallowed whole. However, for children who find them difficult to swallow, they
may be crushed just before being taken and mixed with food or a milky drink.
If you accidently have taken a higher dosage you should contact a physician or pharmacist for advice.
If possible show them the Malarone pack.
If you have taken an overdose or if a child has accidentally swallowed the medicine, refer immediately to
a physician or to a hospital emergency room and bring the package of the medicine with you.
If you forgot to take the medicine
It is very important that you take the full course of Malarone.
If you forgot to take this medicine at the scheduled time take a dose as soon as you remember, however
do not take a double dose. Take the next dose at the usual time and consult the physician. Then persist
with the treatment as recommended by the physician.
Don’t stop Malarone without advice
Keep taking Malarone for 7 days after you return to a malaria-free area. Take the full course of Malarone
for maximum protection. Stopping early puts you at risk of getting malaria, as it takes 7 days to ensure that
any parasites that may be in your blood following a bite from an infected mosquito are killed.
• Do not take medicines in the dark! Check the label and the dose each time you take a medicine. Wear
glasses if you need them.
If you have any other questions regarding the use of the medicine, consult the physician or the
pharmacist.
4. Side effects
As with any medicine, use of Malarone may cause side effects in some of the users. Do not be alarmed
by reading the list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Look out for the following severe reactions. They have occurred in a small number of people, but their
exact frequency is unknown.
Severe allergic reactions - signs include:
rash and itching
sudden wheezing, tightness of the chest or throat, or difficulty breathing
swollen eyelids, face, lips, tongue or other part of the body.
Contact a physician immediately if you get any of these symptoms. Stop taking Malarone.
Severe skin reactions
skin rash, which may blister and looks like small targets (central dark spots, surrounded by paler area
with a dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme)
severe widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly occurring around the mouth, nose,
eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
If you notice any of these symptoms contact a physician urgently.
Additional side effects
Common side effects
headache
nausea and vomiting (feeling sick and being sick)
stomach pain
diarrhoea
dizziness
sleeping problems (insomnia)
vivid dreams
loss of appetite
fever
rash which may be itchy
mouth ulcers
cough
weakness
visual difficulties.
Common side effects, which may show up in your blood tests are:
low levels of sodium in the blood (hyponatraemia).
Uncommon side effects
depression
anxiety
abnormal beating of the heart (palpitation).
Uncommon side effects that may show up in your blood tests:
an increase in amylase (an enzyme produced in the pancreas).
Other side effects
Other side effects have occurred in a small number of people but their exact frequency is unknown.
inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
blockage of the bile ducts (cholestatis)
increase in heart rate (tachycardia)
inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) which may be visible as red or purple raised spots on the
skin but can affect other parts of the body
fits (seizures)
seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
severe mental health problem in which the person loses contact with reality and is unable to think and
judge clearly
peeling skin
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
swelling and redness of the mouth.
Other side effects that may show up in your blood tests:
a decrease in all types of blood cells (pancytopenia)
reduced numbers of red blood cells (anaemia) which can cause tiredness, headaches and shortness of
breath
reduced numbers of white blood cells (neutropenia) which may make you more likely to catch
infections
an increase in liver enzymes.
If any of the side effects get worse or when you suffer from a side effect that has not been mentioned in
the leaflet, you should consult the physician.
5. How to store the medicine?
• Avoid poisoning! This medicine and any other medicine should be kept in a closed place out of the
sight and reach of children and/or infants in order to avoid poisoning. Do not induce vomiting without
an explicit instruction from the physician.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date (exp. date) appearing on the package. The expiry date
refers to the last day of that month.
• Store below 30°C.
6. Additional information
• In addition to the active ingredients the medicine also contains –
Low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K30, sodium starch
glycollate (type A), magnesium stearate, poloxamer 188, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol 400,
red iron oxide (E172), polyethylene glycol 8000.
• What does the medicine look like and what is the content of the package Malarone Tablets for Adults are pink, film-coated, round biconvex tablets marked with “GX CM3” on
one side. Blister pack containing 12, 24 tablets.
Malarone Paediatric Tablets are pink, film-coated, round biconvex tablets marked with “GX CG7” on
one side. Blister pack containing 12, 24 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
• License Holder: GlaxoSmithKline (Israel) Ltd., 25 Basel St., Petach Tikva.
• Manufacturer: Glaxo Wellcome S.A., Burgos, Spain.
• This leaflet was checked and approved by the Ministry of Health in: March 2014.
• Registration number of the medicine in the National Drug Registry of the Ministry of Health:
Malarone Tablets For Adults: 128-46-30733
Malarone Paediatric Tablets: 128-45-30732
Mal PT v3 21773