Quinacrine hydrochloride: Chemical Structure, Mechanism of action, Uses & Side effects

Chemical formula:

• C23H30ClN3O (quinacrine) and HCl (hydrochloride)

Structure of Quinacrine

Mechanism of action:

• Quinacrine is thought to inhibit heme detoxification within the Plasmodium food vacuole, similar to other quinoline-based antimalarials. It may also interfere with the parasite's nucleic acid synthesis.

Uses:

• Quinacrine was historically used to treat malaria, particularly in combination with other antimalarial drugs.

• Its use as an antimalarial has declined due to the emergence of drug resistance and the availability of newer, more effective drugs.

• It is still used to treat some parasitic infections such as giardiasis and has been used off-label for conditions such as lupus.

Side effects:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• abdominal pain

• dizziness

• headache

• yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes

• and photosensitivity.

• Serious side effects include agranulocytosis, hepatotoxicity, and seizures.