ponazuril

Ponazuril is a small molecule antiprotozoal drug in the triazine class, primarily used in veterinary medicine. It is approved for the treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by *Sarcocystis neurona* in horses. Ponazuril acts by inhibiting specific enzymes within protozoa, disrupting pyrimidine synthesis and DNA formation, ultimately leading to parasite death. It is also used off-label to treat other apicomplexan infections such as coccidiosis (caused by *Eimeria spp.*), neosporosis, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis across various animal species including dogs, cats, poultry, goats, camels, small mammals, and reptiles. The drug demonstrates high lipid solubility allowing it to cross the blood-brain barrier and reach therapeutic concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid.

Brand names

Marquis

Other names

toltrazuril sulfonetoltrazuril (sulfone)69004-04-2