Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Atovaquone: a review

L G Haile1, J F Flaherty

  • 1Division of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco 94143.

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|December 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Atovaquone shows promise for treating certain infections, demonstrating better tolerability than trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and pentamidine for mild-to-moderate Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). However, its efficacy in PCP treatment and toxoplasmic encephalitis requires further investigation.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

No detectable resistance to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in HBeAg+ and HBeAg- patients with chronic hepatitis B after 8 years of treatment.

Journal of viral hepatitis·2016
Same author

Prevention of adverse events in hospitalized patients using an antimicrobial review program.

The Western journal of medicine·1999
Same author

Cross-reactivity in HIV-infected patients switched from trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole to dapsone.

Pharmacotherapy·1998
Same author

Grepafloxacin pharmacokinetics in individuals with hepatic dysfunction.

Clinical pharmacokinetics·1997
Same author

Famciclovir for treatment of herpesvirus infections.

The Annals of pharmacotherapy·1996
Same author

Protein binding of clindamycin in sera of patients with AIDS.

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy·1996

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Atovaquone is a hydroxynaphthoquinone with activity against Pneumocystis carinii and Toxoplasma gondii.
  • Its pharmacokinetic profile includes poor bioavailability, fecal excretion, lack of hepatic metabolism, and a long elimination half-life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, and safety of atovaquone.
  • To evaluate atovaquone's role in treating Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE).

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and conference abstracts (1984-1993).
  • Pharmacokinetic and clinical trial data were reviewed and assessed for quality, focusing on study design, methods, and comparative efficacy and toxicity.
  • Information from the manufacturer was also included.

Main Results:

  • Atovaquone demonstrated similar overall treatment success rates to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and pentamidine for mild-to-moderate PCP.
  • Treatment failure due to lack of therapeutic response was significantly higher with atovaquone compared to TMP/SMX.
  • Atovaquone was associated with significantly lower drug toxicity compared to TMP/SMX and pentamidine.
  • Limited data suggest potential utility in treating toxoplasmic encephalitis, but efficacy for PCP prophylaxis is unstudied.

Conclusions:

  • Atovaquone is better tolerated but less effective than TMP/SMX and pentamidine for mild-to-moderate PCP.
  • Further comparative clinical trials are necessary to establish atovaquone's definitive role in PCP treatment and TE management.

Related Experiment Videos