Atovaquone / proguanil and Tiredness: What Users Say

• ion...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2019

Atovaquone / proguanil "For those who had brain fog, lethargy, etc. - I take it because I was bitten by a tick and ended up with Lyme disease. I also ended up getting, from the same tick bite, babesia - babesia is treated with Malarone. Many people are walking around with babesia and are asymptomatic. It is possible you started to kill off the babesia or something similar and had a Herxheimer reaction - just throwing it out there that it may not be side effects but die-off (Herxheimer reaction) - I had the weird thoughts, brain fog, etc. when I first started it from the die-off and toxins that are released - it went away."

• Hin...
• August 20, 2020

Atovaquone / proguanil "I have been taking Malarone now for 3 days (2 pills twice per day) and then after that 3-day period, just 1 pill twice per day) and will continue to do so for about 4 months. It is used to treat babesiosis (for me, alongside doxycycline, cefuroxime, and disulfiram for Lyme disease). However, I want to add here that many people seem to get very sick from this very quickly. Too many for it to be a common side effect. One other post mentioned this. The symptoms of nausea, brain fog, balance issues, heavy fatigue, and lethargy, etc., are all VERY common in the Lyme disease and co-infection world. If this drug is 'herxing' you so quickly, producing such typical co-infection-type symptom clusters, you MUST get checked for Babesia, and if you have Babesia, chances are you may have other co-infections too. (50% of those that get Borrelia from a tick bite also get Babesia, like me!) Long-term dangers of these conditions if left untreated are terrible. (Think Alzheimer's, dementia, etc.) Do not risk it!"

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2018

Atovaquone / proguanil for Malaria Prevention "I experienced quite a few side effects over the longer term that left me in quite a depressed state. Worst of which being heavy lethargy, racing heart, anxiety, and depression after using for several shorter trips. For me, it's not so bad shorter term but certainly wasn't great in the longer term. My doctor said to stop taking the drug, and generally after a couple of weeks I felt fine again. From my experience, I would be cautious and more aware with future use as I know it can affect my moods and cause me to feel extremely tired."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2019

Atovaquone / proguanil for Malaria Prevention "Currently in Kenya (Jan 2019), south of Mombasa. Here for a 2-week holiday. Wife and I both took Malarone for a week with no side effects. 2nd week, we were both ill and stopped using it. Interestingly, we have not seen one mosquito since we've been here (coast), and many other hotel guests were complaining of the same Malarone symptoms and also stopped taking it too. We have been off it for 2 days and already feel loads better. Neither of us will take it in the future. Side effects as follows: nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, lethargy, insomnia, red blotches on skin, strange dreams when we did manage to sleep. How can you enjoy your holiday when you feel like this?"

• SBW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2017

For Malaria Prevention "I started on this medication preventatively, two days before going to Cambodia and Thailand, through the 21 days I was away, and another 7 days till the pills were finished. Two days after completion, I broke out in hives. I also had the following other symptoms: elevated temperature, nausea, sore throat, body aches, exhaustion, and swelling. After an evening and day of itchy hives, I went to Urgent Care. I was told I was having a 'systemic reaction to an allergen.' Ten days later and I am still suffering from all the ill effects. My PCP diagnosed me with an allergic reaction to the malarial medication and started me on two medications to combat the symptoms. He obviously had seen this before. Horrible medication."

• Cmc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2015

Atovaquone / proguanil for Malaria Prevention "Back pain, lethargic, pains in right leg, short of breath, sense of sadness, diarrhea"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2025

Atovaquone / proguanil "I've been on a pediatric dose, 1 tablet with Azithromycin daily. After the 3rd day, I got very nauseated, severe brain fog, and lethargy. I think it's die-off."