Atovaquone Treatment Regimen for Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia

Clinical Considerations for Atovaquone Use

For infants aged 3-24 months, a higher dosage of 45 mg/kg/day may be required if atovaquone is used, according to the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1
For adults with clinical improvement after 7-10 days of intravenous pentamidine therapy, atovaquone may be considered to complete a 21-day course, as recommended by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1

Most common adverse reactions include skin rashes, nausea, and diarrhea, as reported by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1
Elevated liver enzymes may occur, particularly after the first week of therapy, according to the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1
Drug interactions: Atovaquone concentration is increased with coadministration of fluconazole and prednisone, and decreased by coadministration with acyclovir, opiates, cephalosporins, rifampin, and benzodiazepines, as noted by the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1