ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/atovaquone
US brand names:Mepron
Atovaquone is dosed at 13.3 mg/kg PO q8h with a fatty meal for 10 days 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.108, Atovaquone monograph; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Inhibits mitochondrial electron transport at cytochrome bc1 complex (Complex III) in protozoa. Active against Pneumocystis, Toxoplasma, Babesia.
Must be taken with fatty food for absorption. GI upset common. Often combined with azithromycin for Babesia. Limited veterinary data.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
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 with a fatty meal for 10 days | 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.108, Atovaquone monograph; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 15 mg/kg | q8h | Weak |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.108, Atovaquone monograph; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |