atovaquone

Atovaquone is a hydroxynaphthoquinone antimicrobial agent used primarily for the prevention and treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), especially in immunocompromised patients who cannot tolerate first-line therapies such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. It is also used off-label or in combination regimens for the treatment and prevention of malaria (as part of atovaquone-proguanil), babesiosis (with azithromycin), and toxoplasmosis. Mechanistically, atovaquone acts by inhibiting the mitochondrial electron transport chain in susceptible protozoa, specifically targeting the cytochrome bc1 complex, thereby disrupting ATP synthesis and nucleic acid replication[1][3][8]. It is administered orally as a suspension.

Brand names

Mepron

Other names

Atovacuona2-(trans-4-(p-Chlorophenyl)cyclohexyl)-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone