Atovaquone is used to treat Pneumocystis jiroveci [Pneumocystis carinii] pneumonia (PCP; type of pneumonia most likely to affect people with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) in teenagers and adults. Atovaquone is also used to prevent PCP in teenagers and adults who cannot take another medication used for prevention. Atovaquone is in a class of medications called antiprotozoal agents. It works by stopping the growth of certain types of protozoa that can cause pneumonia.
The combination of atovaquone and proguanil is used to treat a certain kind of malaria infection (a serious infection that is spread by mosquitoes in certain parts of the world and can cause death) and to prevent a certain kind of malaria infection in travelers who visit areas where malaria is common. Atovaquone and proguanil is in a class of medications called antimalarials. It works by killing the organisms that cause malaria.
