chloroquine + primaquine

Chloroquine + primaquine is a fixed-dose combination of two antimalarial small molecules used primarily for the radical cure and prevention of relapse in malaria caused by *Plasmodium vivax* and *Plasmodium ovale*. Chloroquine acts as a blood schizontocide, inhibiting heme polymerase in malarial trophozoites, which leads to accumulation of toxic heme and parasite death. Primaquine targets the intrahepatic (liver) forms (hypnozoites) of malaria parasites, interfering with their mitochondrial function and energy supply, thereby preventing relapse. This combination has been the standard regimen for radical cure for over half a century[1][2][8]. Both drugs are orally administered. The combination is also sometimes used off-label for other protozoal infections.

Brand names

Plaquenil

Other names

none