Cycloguanil pamoate: Chemical Structure, Mechanism of Action, Uses, Side effects

Chemical formula:

• C11H13ClN6 (cycloguanil) and C23H16O6 (pamoate)

Structure of Cycloguanil

Mechanism of action:

• Cycloguanil is a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) inhibitor that interferes with the synthesis of nucleic acids in the Plasmodium parasite.

Uses:

• Cycloguanil is the active metabolite of proguanil and is typically not used as a standalone drug.

• It may be combined with other antimalarial drugs for the treatment of drug-resistant malaria.

Side effects:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• abdominal pain

• headache

• dizziness

• and rash.

• Rare but serious side effects include neutropenia, hepatotoxicity, and severe skin reactions.