Antimalarialisiin

Antimalarialisiin is a term describing medicines used to prevent and treat malaria, a disease caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. These drugs target different stages of the parasite’s life cycle and are used for acute treatment and for prophylaxis in travelers and residents of endemic areas.

Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the current first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in many regions, pairing an artemisinin derivative with a longer-acting partner drug such as lumefantrine, mefloquine, amodiaquine, or piperaquine. Chloroquine remains effective in areas with sensitive parasites; quinine is used for severe malaria; and atovaquone-proguanil is another option, with doxycycline as prophylaxis.

Primaquine uniquely targets liver-stage hypnozoites of P. vivax and P. ovale to prevent relapses, but it requires G6PD testing due to risk of hemolytic anemia.

Drug selection depends on parasite species and resistance, travel history, pregnancy status, and potential interactions. Safety concerns include gastrointestinal upset and neuropsychiatric effects for some drugs, and primaquine’s hemolysis risk in G6PD deficiency.

Resistance challenges persist, including widespread chloroquine resistance and emerging artemisinin resistance in some regions, underscoring the need for guideline updates, surveillance, and development of new antimalarials.

Historical notes include quinine from Cinchona bark and the later development of chloroquine, with artemisinin from Artemisia annua revolutionizing therapy through ACTs.