Mepron – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Mepron (generic name: atovaquone) is a drug used to treat or prevent a type of pneumonia caused by a fungal infection referred to as Pneumocystis carinii, also known as Pneumocystis jiroveci. This type of pneumonia is most common in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is used in adults and children who are at least 13 years of age. Sometimes, atovaquone is also used together with other medicines to treat babesiosis, an infectious disease carried by ticks.

Mepron works by interfering with the reproduction of protozoa (single-cell organisms) that can cause the disease. Mepron belongs to a class of drugs called antiprotozoal agents. Mepron comes as a liquid to be taken by mouth. It is typically taken with meals twice a day for 21 days.

Before taking this medicine, tell your physician if you ever had a liver disease or a stomach or intestinal disorder. In addition, tell if you are using prescription and herbal products, especially rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), because the Mepron may interact with these products. This medicine should not be taken by people who are allergic to atovaquone.

Known side effects of Mepron

Mepron may cause an allergic reaction. Get immediate medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, or swelling in the face or throat. It may also cause a severe skin reaction, with signs such as fever, sore throat, burning in the eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.

Other common side effects of Mepron include the following:

Anxiety
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
Fever
Headache
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Rash

Body systems that may be harmed by Mepron

The body systems harmed by Mepron include the gastrointestinal, dermatologic, hepatic, hematologic, metabolic, respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal, hypersensitivity, renal, and cardiovascular systems.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent Mepron’s side effects

The following food items or nutrients may prevent diarrhea, one of the common side effects of Mepron:

Apple cider vinegar
Apple juice
Applesauce
Buttermilk
Caraway tea
Chamomile tea
Clear soup
Decaffeinated black tea
Orange peel tea
Plain white rice

Treatments, management plans for the Mepron’s side effects

Nausea and vomiting, two of the possible side effects of Mepron, can be treated naturally.

To treat nausea:

Eat only light, plain foods, such as bread and crackers.
Do not eat foods that have strong flavors, are too sweet, or are greasy or fried.
Drink a cup of ginger tea.
Drink cold liquids.
Refrain from doing any activity after eating.

To treat vomiting:

Do not eat solid foods of any kind until the vomiting stops.
Do not use medications that may upset the stomach, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids.
Drink plenty of clear fluids to stay hydrated, but drink it in small sips at a time.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
Use an oral rehydration solution to replace lost electrolytes.