Quinacrine

Quinacrine is an antiprotozoal medication that is primarily used to treat giardiasis. It is also used for other conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Quinacrine was first made in the 1930s and is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the safest and most effective medicines needed in a health system.

Medical uses[edit | edit source]

Quinacrine is used to treat giardiasis, a parasitic infection of the small intestine. It is also used off-label for the treatment of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, it has been used as a method of non-surgical sterilization in women, although this use is controversial and not widely accepted.

Side effects[edit | edit source]

Common side effects of quinacrine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. In rare cases, it can cause serious side effects such as liver damage and skin discoloration.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

Quinacrine works by inhibiting the growth of the parasite that causes giardiasis. It is believed to do this by interfering with the parasite's ability to metabolize and reproduce.

History[edit | edit source]

Quinacrine was first made in the 1930s and was widely used during World War II to prevent and treat malaria. However, its use declined after the war due to the development of more effective and less toxic antimalarial drugs.

See also[edit | edit source]

Quinacrine Resources
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