8-aminoquinoline

8-Aminoquinoline is a type of chemical compound that belongs to the class of quinolines. It is an organic compound with the formula C9H8N2. This compound is known for its significant role in the field of medicine, particularly in the treatment of malaria and Pneumocystis pneumonia.

Structure and Properties

The 8-aminoquinoline molecule is composed of a quinoline system, which is a heterocyclic compound containing two fused rings, a benzene ring and a pyridine ring. The "8-amino" part of the name refers to the presence of an amino group (-NH2) at the 8th position of the quinoline system.

8-Aminoquinoline is a pale yellow crystalline solid. It is slightly soluble in water and more soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and chloroform.

Medical Uses

8-Aminoquinoline compounds have been used in medicine for their antimalarial properties. The most well-known 8-aminoquinoline drug is primaquine, which is used for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria. Another 8-aminoquinoline, tafenoquine, was approved by the FDA in 2018 for the same purpose.

In addition to their antimalarial activity, 8-aminoquinolines have also shown effectiveness against Pneumocystis pneumonia, a fungal infection common in people with weakened immune systems.

Safety and Side Effects

While 8-aminoquinoline drugs are generally safe for most people, they can cause side effects in some individuals. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, these drugs can cause severe side effects such as hemolytic anemia, especially in individuals with G6PD deficiency.

See Also

• Antimalarial medication
• Quinoline
• Primaquine
• Tafenoquine

References

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