What is Atovaquone used for?

Atovaquone is indicated for: Babesiosis (with azithromycin), Cytauxzoonosis.

Which species have cited Atovaquone dosing data?

Atovaquone dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Atovaquone a controlled substance?

Atovaquone is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Atovaquone

US brand names:Mepron

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Atovaquone is dosed at 13.3 mg/kg PO q8h in dogs, per Lin ECY, Chueh LL, Lin CN, Hsieh LE, Su BL. The therapeutic efficacy of two antibabesial strategies against Babesia gibsoni. Vet Parasitol. 2012;186(3-4):159-164. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.073 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.136 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antiparasitic

Routes

Indications

Babesiosis (with azithromycin)Cytauxzoonosis

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits mitochondrial electron transport at cytochrome bc1 complex (Complex III) in protozoa. Active against Pneumocystis, Toxoplasma, Babesia.

Side effects & warnings

Must be taken with fatty food for absorption. GI upset common. Often combined with azithromycin for Babesia. Limited veterinary data.

Species with Atovaquone dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Moderate×1Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 2 published sources

· Cohn LA, Birkenheuer AJ, Brunker JD, Ratcliff ER, Craig AW. Efficacy of Atovaquone and Azithromycin or Imidocarb Dipropionate in Cats with Acute Cytauxzoonosis. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2011;25(1):55-60. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0646.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.136 (2026-08-01).
· Lin ECY, Chueh LL, Lin CN, Hsieh LE, Su BL. The therapeutic efficacy of two antibabesial strategies against Babesia gibsoni. Vet Parasitol. 2012;186(3-4):159-164. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.073 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.136 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	13.3 mg/kg	q8h	Moderate	Lin ECY, Chueh LL, Lin CN, Hsieh LE, Su BL. The therapeutic efficacy of two antibabesial strategies against Babesia gibsoni. Vet Parasitol. 2012;186(3-4):159-164. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.073 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.136 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	15 mg/kg	q8h	Weak	Cohn LA, Birkenheuer AJ, Brunker JD, Ratcliff ER, Craig AW. Efficacy of Atovaquone and Azithromycin or Imidocarb Dipropionate in Cats with Acute Cytauxzoonosis. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2011;25(1):55-60. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0646.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.136 (2026-08-01).

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