Consumer Information for: MEPRON
Consumer Information
Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.
What the medication is used for
- Mepron® is used to treat Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).
- You can get PCP when your lungs are infected with a fungus called Pneumocystis carinii.
What it does
- This medicine prevents the fungus responsible for PCP from growing.
What the medicinal ingredient is
Atovaquone
What the non-medicinal ingredients are
Benzyl alcohol, flavour (tutti frutti), polaxamer 188, purified water, saccharin sodium, and xanthan gum
What dosage form it comes in
Mepron® is a bright yellow liquid. It tastes sweet and fruity. Each bottle contains 210 mL of Mepron® (750 mg/5 mL) and has a cap that children cannot open.
When it should not be used
- You are allergic to atovaquone or to any of the ingredients in Mepron® (Read also “What are the ingredients in Mepron®?” above).
Warnings and precautions
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Mepron®. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you
- currently have diarrhea
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Interactions with this medication
- tetracycline, rifampicin, rifabutin, and cephalosporins, drugs used to treat bacterial infections
- metoclopramide, a drug used to treat symptoms of slowed stomach emptying
- acetaminophen, a drug used to relieve pain and reduce fever (also included in cold and flu remedies)
- benzodiazepines and opiates (like codeine), drugs used to treat anxiety and pain
- acyclovir, a drug used to treat herpes
- medicines used to treat diarrhea
- laxatives
- zidovudine and indinavir, drugs used to treat HIV infection/AIDS
Proper use of this medication
It is important to drink Mepron® with a meal. This will help the medicine to work properly. Drink it with your morning meal and your evening meal. Before you pour each dose, shake the bottle gently.
Usual adult dose
Drink 5 mL (one teaspoonful) of Mepron® twice each day, with your meals. Take this medicine for 21 days.
If you can eat only one meal a day, drink 10 mL (two teaspoonfuls) of Mepron® once each day with your meal. Take this medicine for 21 days.
Overdose
Missed Dose
If you missed a dose of Mepron®, take it as soon as you remember (with a meal). But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the regular time (again with a meal). Do not take a double dose (two doses close together).
Side effects and what to do about them
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Mepron®. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include
- headache, fever
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation
- trouble sleeping, dizziness, feeling weak and achy
- sweating, rash, itching, hives
- thrush (yeast infection in the mouth)
- eye problems
- kidney problems
Side effects that may show up in a blood test
- low levels of sodium in the blood (hyponatremia)
- changes in liver enzymes
- low numbers of red blood cells (anemia), which can cause tiredness, headaches and shortness of breath
- low numbers of white blood cells (neutropenia)
- high levels of amylase (an enzyme produced in the pancreas)
- high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia)
- high levels of methemoglobin (a protein in the blood)
- low numbers of platelets in the blood
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional Only if severe | Talk to your healthcare professional In all cases | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common | |||
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction: hives, swelling, difficulty in breathing, throat tightness | ✔ | ||
| Unknown | |||
Serious skin reactions:
|
✔ | ||
| Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): sudden pain in the upper area of the abdomen (belly), nausea/vomiting, fever, sweating, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes | ✔ | ||
| Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver): yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, dark or tea-coloured urine, pale-coloured stools (bowel movements), nausea/ vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, aching or tenderness on right side below the ribs | ✔ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
How to store
Store this medicine at room temperature, between 15°C and 25°C (between 59°F and 77°F). Store it in a dark area, protected from the light. Do NOT store it near a heat source. Do NOT freeze it.
Keep this medicine where children cannot reach it or see it.
Reporting side effects
You can help improve the safe use of health products for Canadians by reporting serious and unexpected side effects to Health Canada. Your report may help to identify new side effects and change the product safety information.
3 ways to report:
- Online at MedEffect
- By calling 1-866-234-2345 (toll-free);
- By completing a Consumer Side Effect Reporting Form and sending it by:
- Fax to 1-866-678-6789 (toll-free), or
- Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program
Health Canada, Postal Locator 0701E
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K9
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
More information
- Talk to your healthcare professional.
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website; the manufacturer’s website: www.gsk.ca; or by calling 1-800-387-7374.
This leaflet was prepared by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
MEPRON is a registered trademark of Glaxo Group Limited, used under license by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
©2016 GlaxoSmithKline Inc. All Rights Reserved
Last Revised: July 26, 2016
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