What Is Malarone? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Malarone is the brand name for a combination antimalarial medication containing two active ingredients: atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), has been FDA-approved since 2000, and is widely regarded as the most convenient and best-tolerated antimalarial for most travelers.

What Is Malarone Used For?

Malarone has two FDA-approved uses:

1. Prevention of malaria (prophylaxis) — Protects against Plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults and children traveling to malaria-endemic regions, including areas with chloroquine-resistant strains.
2. Treatment of malaria — Treats acute, uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in adults and children who weigh at least 5 kg (about 11 pounds).

Malarone is the CDC's recommended first-line antimalarial for travelers going to most malaria-endemic regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, and South America. It works in areas with chloroquine resistance, making it suitable for a much broader range of destinations than chloroquine alone.

What Are the Malarone Dosage Forms?

Malarone comes in two tablet strengths:

• Adult tablet: 250 mg atovaquone / 100 mg proguanil hydrochloride. Pink, round, film-coated tablet engraved "GX CM3".
• Pediatric tablet: 62.5 mg atovaquone / 25 mg proguanil hydrochloride. Pink, round, film-coated tablet engraved "GX CG7". This is one-quarter the strength of the adult tablet.

Both forms are oral tablets taken with food or a milky drink (this is essential for absorption). Tablets can be crushed and mixed with condensed milk for children who have difficulty swallowing.

Malarone Dosing: Prevention vs. Treatment

For prevention (prophylaxis) in adults: 1 adult tablet (250 mg/100 mg) once daily. Start 1-2 days before entering a malaria-endemic area, take daily throughout your stay, and continue for 7 full days after leaving the area.

For treatment of acute malaria in adults: 4 adult tablets (1,000 mg/400 mg total) taken as a single dose once daily for 3 consecutive days, always with food.

Pediatric dosing: Doses are calculated by body weight. Pediatric patients (5-8 kg body weight) take 2 pediatric tablets; larger pediatric patients take proportionally more. Always follow the prescribing information or your doctor's specific instructions.

Who Should NOT Take Malarone?

Malarone is not appropriate for everyone. Do not take it if:

• You have severe kidney disease (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) — contraindicated for prophylaxis, use with extreme caution for treatment
• You are allergic to atovaquone or proguanil or any component of the tablet
• You are pregnant — Malarone is Pregnancy Category C; use only if potential benefit outweighs risk; chloroquine (where effective) or mefloquine (2nd/3rd trimester) are preferred alternatives
• Your child weighs less than 5 kg

Important Tips for Taking Malarone Correctly

• Always take with food or milk. Atovaquone absorption increases 5x when taken with a fatty meal. Taking Malarone on an empty stomach significantly reduces its effectiveness and increases GI side effects.
• Take at the same time each day. Consistent dosing keeps blood levels stable.
• Complete the full 7 days after travel. Stopping early leaves you vulnerable. Malarone does not protect against the liver stages of malaria, so the 7-day post-travel window is necessary to eliminate parasites that entered your bloodstream.
• Malarone is not 100% effective. Use additional protective measures: DEET insect repellent, long sleeves and pants at dusk, sleeping under permethrin-treated nets.

Want to understand how Malarone actually kills malaria parasites? Read our in-depth explanation of how Malarone works.

Ready to fill your prescription? Use medfinder to locate which pharmacies near you have Malarone in stock.