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atovaquone/proguanil vs metoclopramide

Side-by-side comparison of atovaquone/proguanil and metoclopramide. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

7.4 Metoclopramide While antiemetics may be indicated for patients receiving MALARONE, metoclopramide may reduce the bioavailability of atovaquone and should be used only if other antiemetics are not available [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Recommendation: You should only use this combination if there are no other medicines available to treat your nausea.

Drug Class
atovaquone/proguanil Antimalarial Combination
metoclopramide Prokinetic / Antiemetic
Type
atovaquone/proguanil Prescription
metoclopramide Prescription
Summary
atovaquone/proguanil

Malarone is a drug used to prevent and treat malaria. It contains two medicines, atovaquone and proguanil, that work together to kill the malaria parasite.

metoclopramide

Metoclopramide is a drug that helps with stomach problems. It can help food move faster through your stomach and reduce nausea.

What It Treats
atovaquone/proguanil

Malarone is used to prevent malaria, especially in areas where the malaria parasite is resistant to chloroquine. It is also used to treat malaria infections that are not severe. Malarone can be effective even when other malaria drugs don't work well.

metoclopramide

This medicine treats heartburn caused by acid reflux when other treatments don't work. It also helps with symptoms of slow stomach emptying in people with diabetes, like nausea, vomiting, and feeling full. This medicine is for adults and should not be used for more than 12 weeks.

How It Works
atovaquone/proguanil

Malarone contains two active ingredients: atovaquone and proguanil. Atovaquone stops the malaria parasite's energy production. Proguanil disrupts the parasite's ability to multiply. Together, they kill the parasite and treat or prevent malaria.

metoclopramide

Metoclopramide helps your stomach muscles move faster. This helps food empty from your stomach more quickly. It also blocks a chemical in your brain that causes nausea.

Common Side Effects
atovaquone/proguanil
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
metoclopramide
  • Restlessness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling tired
FAERS Reports
atovaquone/proguanil
  • Fever 429
  • Diarrhea 408
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 370
  • Lung infection 355
  • Death 294
metoclopramide
  • Uncontrollable muscle movements 13,205
  • Movement problems 11,628
  • Problem with the brain or nerves 7,175
  • Muscle spasms 6,661
  • Pain 4,665
Serious Warnings
atovaquone/proguanil

Elevated liver tests, hepatitis, and liver failure have been reported with Malarone. If you have severe kidney problems, do not use Malarone to prevent malaria. Malarone has not been tested for treating severe malaria affecting the brain, lungs, or kidneys.

metoclopramide

Metoclopramide can cause a serious movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. This may not go away even after you stop taking the medicine. The risk of tardive dyskinesia increases with long-term use and high doses. Call your doctor right away if you have uncontrolled muscle movements.

Pregnancy
atovaquone/proguanil

It is not known if Malarone can harm an unborn baby. Pregnant women should continue taking folate supplements. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking this medicine.

metoclopramide

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while breastfeeding.

How to Read This atovaquone/proguanil vs metoclopramide Comparison

atovaquone/proguanil is classified in the Antimalarial Combination drug class, while metoclopramide sits within the Prokinetic / Antiemetic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, atovaquone/proguanil has 1,856 submissions while metoclopramide has 43,334. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to metoclopramide speeds up the digestive system, which can lower the total amount of atovaquone that gets into your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between atovaquone/proguanil and metoclopramide - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.