Anti-Malarial Drugs

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes about anti-malarial drugs and their mechanisms.

Malaria

A disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium, transmitted by infected Anopheles mosquitoes.

Sporozoites

The infectious form of the malaria parasite injected into the human host by a mosquito.

Erythrocytic cycle

The stage in the malaria life cycle where the parasite infects red blood cells.

Primaquine

An oral antimalarial drug used to eradicate liver forms of Plasmodia; not effective against the erythrocytic stage.

Chloroquine

A synthetic 4-aminoquinoline drug used for malaria prophylaxis, effective against blood stages but resistance limits its use.

Cinchonism

A syndrome caused by an overdose of quinine or related compounds, characterized by headache, nausea, and tinnitus.

Proguanil

An antimalarial drug that inhibits plasmodial dihydrofolate reductase, used for treatment and prevention of malaria.

Mefloquine

A 4-methanolquinoline used for prophylaxis against malaria; associated with neuropsychiatric side effects.

Gametocytes

The sexual forms of the malaria parasite that can be taken up by mosquitoes during a blood meal.

Schizont

A stage in the malaria life cycle characterized by the asexual reproduction of the parasite within red blood cells.

4-Aminoquinolines

A class of antimalarial drugs including chloroquine and amodiaquine, effective against the erythrocytic phase of malaria.

Hemoglobin

The protein in red blood cells that malaria parasites utilize, releasing toxic heme during degradation.

Adverse effects of Primaquine

Includes hemolytic anemia, abdominal discomfort, and methemoglobinemia in some patients.

Resistance

The ability of malaria parasites such as Plasmodium falciparum to survive despite the presence of antimalarial drugs.

Antimalarial drugs

Drugs used to treat or prevent malaria, classified into various groups based on their action and effectiveness.