Antiprotozoal
Antiprotozoal
Antiprotozoal (pronunciation: an-ti-pro-to-zo-al) is a type of antimicrobial agent that is used to treat protozoan infections.
Etymology
The term "antiprotozoal" is derived from the Greek words "anti" meaning against, "proto" meaning first, and "zoon" meaning animal. This refers to the fact that these drugs are used to combat infections caused by protozoa, which are single-celled organisms that are among the earliest forms of animal life.
Usage
Antiprotozoal drugs are used to treat a variety of diseases caused by protozoa, including malaria, giardiasis, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis. They work by interfering with the life cycle of the protozoa, either killing them outright or inhibiting their growth and reproduction.
Types of Antiprotozoal Drugs
There are several different types of antiprotozoal drugs, including:
- Quinolines: These drugs, which include chloroquine and mefloquine, are primarily used to treat malaria.
- Nitroimidazoles: This class of drugs, which includes metronidazole, is used to treat a variety of protozoan infections.
- Sulfonamides: These drugs, such as sulfadiazine, are often used in combination with other drugs to treat toxoplasmosis.
- Macrolides: This class of drugs, including azithromycin, is used to treat a variety of infections, including cryptosporidiosis.
Side Effects
Like all drugs, antiprotozoal drugs can have side effects. These can vary depending on the specific drug and the individual patient, but may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. In some cases, these drugs can also cause more serious side effects, such as liver damage or blood disorders.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antiprotozoal
- Wikipedia's article - Antiprotozoal
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