Chlorproguanil/dapsone

Chlorproguanil/dapsone (also known as Lapdap) is a fixed-dose combination antimalarial drug that contains chlorproguanil hydrochloride and dapsone. It was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in partnership with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).

History

Chlorproguanil/dapsone was developed as a low-cost antimalarial drug for use in Africa. It was approved for use by the United Kingdom's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2003. However, in 2008, GSK and MMV stopped all further development of the drug due to concerns about its safety profile.

Pharmacology

Chlorproguanil/dapsone works by inhibiting the synthesis of folic acid in the malaria parasite, which is necessary for its growth and reproduction. Chlorproguanil is a prodrug that is metabolized in the body to its active form, cycloguanil. Dapsone is an antibacterial and antiprotozoal drug that also has antimalarial activity.

Side effects

The most common side effects of chlorproguanil/dapsone include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, it can cause serious blood disorders, including methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia. These side effects are more common in people with a genetic deficiency of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD).

See also

• Antimalarial medication
• Malaria
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency