FOCUS ON ATOVAQUONE - AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII PNEUMONIA

Atovaquone, an antiprotozoal agent, is the third drug to receive approval for the treatment of mild to moderate Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). This nonsulfonamide agent represents a new class of drugs for the treatment of this disease, as its actions are directed at a site other than folate antagonism. Its microbiologic spectrum of activity also encompasses Plasmodium species as well as Toxoplasma gondii. In addition, atovaquone possesses several other advantages including: an oral route of administration, a long half-life, and a relatively low toxicity profile. Unlike the other anti-P carinii drugs, this agent appears to kill the organism rather than merely inhibiting its growth. At present, published clinical trials have shown atovaquone to be safe and efficacious for the treatment of this fife-threatening opportunistic infection.