Kairine

Kairine

Kairine is a synthetic febrifuge that was used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a treatment for fever. It was first synthesized by the German chemist Paul Ehrlich in 1883. Kairine is no longer in use today due to the development of more effective and safer antipyretic drugs.

History

Kairine was first synthesized by Paul Ehrlich in 1883. Ehrlich was a German chemist who made significant contributions to the fields of hematology, immunology, and chemotherapy. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1908 for his work on immunity.

Kairine was one of the first synthetic drugs to be used in medicine. It was used as a febrifuge, a drug that reduces fever. Kairine was used to treat a variety of febrile conditions, including malaria, typhoid fever, and pneumonia.

Pharmacology

Kairine works by reducing the body's set point for temperature in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. This causes the body to lower its temperature, reducing fever.

Kairine is a synthetic compound, meaning it is not found naturally in the body. It is a derivative of quinoline, a type of organic compound that is also used in the synthesis of other drugs, such as quinine and chloroquine.

Side Effects and Discontinuation

Despite its effectiveness as a febrifuge, Kairine had a number of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin caused by poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood). These side effects, combined with the development of safer and more effective antipyretic drugs, led to the discontinuation of Kairine's use in medicine.

Legacy

While Kairine is no longer in use today, it played a significant role in the history of medicine. It was one of the first synthetic drugs to be used in medicine, paving the way for the development of other synthetic drugs. Kairine's synthesis by Paul Ehrlich also marked a significant step forward in the field of chemotherapy.