Piperaquine
Piperaquine
Piperaquine (pronounced as piper-a-kween) is an antimalarial drug that is often used in combination with other drugs to treat malaria. It is a bisquinoline compound, first synthesized in the 1960s.
Etymology
The term "Piperaquine" is derived from its chemical structure, which includes a piperazine ring and a quinoline group. The prefix "Pipera-" comes from "piperazine", and "-quine" is a common suffix for drugs that contain a quinoline group, such as chloroquine and quinine.
Usage
Piperaquine is most commonly used in combination with dihydroartemisinin, a derivative of artemisinin. This combination, known as dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine, is a first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in many parts of the world.
Pharmacology
Piperaquine acts by inhibiting the hemozoin biocrystallization in the Plasmodium parasite, thereby facilitating an accumulation of cytotoxic heme. This action is similar to other antimalarial drugs like chloroquine.
Side Effects
Common side effects of piperaquine include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, it can cause QT interval prolongation, a type of heart rhythm disorder.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Piperaquine
- Wikipedia's article - Piperaquine
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