Quinacrine
Quinacrine
Quinacrine (pronounced: kwin-uh-kreen) is a medication primarily used to treat giardiasis, a parasitic infection of the small intestine. It is also used for other medical conditions such as lupus and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Etymology
The term 'Quinacrine' is derived from the quinoline chemical group, which is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound, and 'acridine', another heterocyclic compound. The combination of these two compounds forms the basis of the drug's structure.
Usage
Quinacrine is an antiprotozoal agent, meaning it is effective against protozoa, a group of parasitic organisms. It is most commonly used to treat giardiasis, a condition caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia.
In addition to its antiprotozoal properties, quinacrine has been used as an antimalarial drug, particularly during World War II. However, its use in this context has declined due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains of malaria.
Quinacrine is also used off-label for the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It has been found to have immunomodulatory effects, which can help to reduce the symptoms of these conditions.
Related Terms
- Antiprotozoal: A type of drug used to treat infections caused by protozoa.
- Giardiasis: A parasitic infection of the small intestine caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia.
- Lupus: An autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in various parts of the body.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system.
- Antimalarial: A type of drug used to prevent or treat malaria.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Quinacrine
- Wikipedia's article - Quinacrine
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