Pyrimetiiniä

Pyrimetiiniä is the Finnish word for pyrimethamine. Pyrimethamine is an antiparasitic medication used primarily in the treatment and prevention of malaria and toxoplasmosis. It belongs to a class of drugs called dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors, which means it interferes with the metabolic pathway of folic acid in parasites. By blocking this essential process, pyrimethamine prevents the parasites from growing and reproducing.

In the treatment of malaria, pyrimethamine is often used in combination with other antimalarial drugs, such as sulfadoxine, to overcome resistance. This combination is known as Fansidar. It is also used to prevent malaria in travelers visiting endemic areas. For toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can be particularly dangerous for individuals with weakened immune systems, pyrimethamine is a cornerstone of treatment, typically administered with sulfadiazine and leucovorin (folinic acid) to mitigate its side effects.

Pyrimethamine is usually taken orally. Common side effects can include gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, and dizziness. More serious adverse reactions, though less common, can involve blood disorders like anemia and a decrease in white blood cell count, which is why regular blood monitoring is often recommended during treatment. It is crucial to use pyrimethamine strictly as prescribed by a healthcare professional due to the potential for resistance development and side effects.