ANTIMALARIAL THERAPY Flashcards
what type of drug is pyrimethamine?
a folate antagonist
what are the indications of pyrimethamine?
used as an adjunct in the treatment of uncomplicated, chloroquine resisrnt, p. falciparum malaria and toxoplasmosis
what is pyrimethamines moa?
inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase of plasmodia, blocking synthesis of purines and pyrimidines and therefore failure of nuclear dividsion
how can you greatly enhance the action of pyrimethamine against toxoplasma gondii?
use in conjunction with sulfonamides
what type of drug is quinine?
Haem polymerase inhibitor
what are the indications of quinine?
treating life-threatening infections caused by chloroquine resistant p. falciparum malaria
what is quinines moa?
inhibits the parasites ability to break down and digest Hb so the parasite starves and builds up toxic levels of partially degrased Hb
what type of drug is artemether?
a peroxide antimalarial
what is the moa of artemether?
interacts wth haem in the parasite vacuole resulting in the formation of potentially toxic radicals
what can artemether be administered in combination with to imporve its efficacy?
lumefantrine
