Antimalarial Drugs
ANTIMALARIAL DRUGS
Description also available in video
format (attached below), for better experience use your desktop.
Introduction
· Malaria is a
life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, transmitted to humans
through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes.
· Antimalarial drugs
are used to prevent and treat malaria.
Definition
· Antimalarial drugs
are medications used to prevent or cure malaria by inhibiting the growth and
reproduction of Plasmodium parasites within the human body.
Classification
1.
Aminoquinolines
o
Chloroquine: Used for the treatment of
non-resistant malaria.
o
Hydroxychloroquine: Similar to
chloroquine, also used in autoimmune diseases.
2.
Artemisinin Derivatives
o
Artemether: Often combined with lumefantrine.
o
Artesunate: Used for severe malaria.
3.
Quinoline Methanols
o
Quinine: Used for chloroquine-resistant
strains.
o
Mefloquine: Used for prophylaxis and treatment of
drug-resistant malaria.
4.
Antifolates
o
Pyrimethamine: Often combined with sulfadoxine.
o
Proguanil: Often combined with atovaquone.
5.
Naphthoquinones
o
Atovaquone: Usually combined with proguanil.
6.
Antibiotics
o
Doxycycline: Used in combination therapy.
o
Clindamycin: Used as an alternative in certain
cases.
Pharmacokinetics
·
Absorption: Rapidly absorbed from the
gastrointestinal tract.
·
Distribution: Widely distributed, especially in the
liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs.
·
Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.
· Excretion: Primarily excreted in the urine.
Mechanism of Action
-
Aminoquinolines:
Prevent detoxification of heme by blocking hemozoin formation. This leads to accumulation of toxic heme in Plasmodium. -
Artemisinin Derivatives:
Activated by heme to generate free radicals inside the parasite. These radicals damage parasite proteins and membranes, causing rapid death. -
Quinoline Methanols:
Inhibit heme polymerization in Plasmodium's food vacuole, causing toxic heme buildup. This leads to oxidative damage and parasite death. -
Antifolates:
Block folate synthesis and prevents DNA replication in the malaria parasite. -
Naphthoquinones:
Inhibit mitochondrial electron transport in Plasmodium. This disrupts ATP production and causes parasite death. -
Antibiotics: Target the apicoplast and inhibit protein synthesis in the parasite. They act slowly and are used for malaria prophylaxis or combination therapy.
Uses
·
Prevention: Medications like chloroquine and
doxycycline are used for prophylaxis in malaria-endemic areas.
· Treatment: Drugs like artemether-lumefantrine and quinine are used for treating active malaria infections.
· Severe Cases: Intravenous artesunate is used for
severe malaria.
Adverse Effects
· Nausea and vomiting
·
Dizziness
· Visual disturbances
·
Gastrointestinal disturbances
· Headache
·
Rash
Contraindications
·
Known hypersensitivity to chloroquine
·
Retinal or visual field changes
· Psoriasis
· Hypersensitivity to artemether or other artemisinin derivatives
Role of Nurse
1.
Assessment
o
Obtain a thorough medical history including drug allergies and current
medications.
o
Assess for signs and symptoms of malaria.
2.
Administration
o
Administer antimalarial drugs as prescribed.
o
Monitor for adverse effects during and after administration.
3.
Patient Education
o
Educate patients on the importance of medication adherence.
o
Inform about potential side effects and when to seek medical attention.
o
Advise on preventive measures such as mosquito nets and repellents.
4.
Monitoring
o
Monitor vital signs and symptoms to assess the effectiveness of the
medication.
o
Conduct regular blood tests to monitor for potential side effects, such
as liver function tests and complete blood counts.
5.
Documentation
o
Document the patient’s response to the medication.
o
Record any adverse effects and actions taken.
Video Description
· Don’t forget to do these things if
you get benefitted from this article
o Visit our Let’s
contribute page https://keedainformation.blogspot.com/p/lets-contribute.html
o Follow our page
o Like & comment on our post
·
Comments