Antimalarial medication
Antimalarial medication
Antimalarial medication is a type of drug used in the treatment and prevention of malaria, a disease caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Pronounced as an·ti·ma·lar·i·al, the term is derived from the prefix 'anti-' meaning against, and 'malarial' referring to malaria.
Etymology
The term "antimalarial" is derived from the Latin word 'anti-' meaning 'against', and 'malaria', which is derived from the Italian words 'mal' meaning 'bad' and 'aria' meaning 'air'. The term was first used in the early 18th century when it was believed that malaria was caused by bad air.
Types of Antimalarial Medication
There are several types of antimalarial medication, including:
- Chloroquine: This is a medication used to prevent and treat malaria in areas where malaria is known to be sensitive to its effects.
- Hydroxychloroquine: This is a less toxic derivative of chloroquine and is used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, as well as in the treatment and prevention of malaria.
- Mefloquine: This is a medication used to prevent and treat malaria. It is often used for those travelling to areas where there is a high risk of malaria.
- Artemisinin: This is a medication that is derived from the plant Artemisia annua, which is native to China. It is used in the treatment of malaria.
Side Effects
Like all medications, antimalarial drugs can have side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare cases, they can cause serious side effects such as heart problems or seizures.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antimalarial medication
- Wikipedia's article - Antimalarial medication
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