The fastest acting schizonticidal drug among the following is:
Correct Answer: Artemether
Description: Artemether-lumefantrine
Lumefantrine is an orally active, high efficacy, long-acting erythrocytic schizontocide, related chemically and in mechanism of action to halofantrine and MQ. Like the other schizontocides, vivax hypnozoites are not affected. Lumefantrine is highly lipophilic; absorption starts after 2 hours of ingestion and peaks at 6-8 hours. Antimalarial action is slower than CQ. Plasma protein binding is 99%, and it is metabolized predominantly by CYP3A4. Terminal t½ is 2- 3 days, which is prolonged to 4 -6 days in malaria patients.
Lumefantrine is used only in combination with artemether, as FDC tablets. The two components protect each other from plasmodial resistance.
As such, no clinically relevant resistance has developed so far. Clinical efficacy is high achieving 95- 99% cure rate. Artemether-lumefantrine is active even in multidrug resistant Plasmodium falciparum areas, including MQ-resistant.
Key Concept:
Artemisinin derivatives like dihydroartemisinin, arteether and artemether, etc., are fastest acting antimalarial drugs.
Reference: Essentials of Medical Pharmacology Eighth Edition KD TRIPATHI page no 889
Category:
Pharmacology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now