Last reviewed · How we verify
IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine
IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine is a Antifolate antimalarial combination Small molecule drug developed by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Malaria prevention in pregnant women (Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy), Malaria treatment and chemoprophylaxis. Also known as: Fansidar.
Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine is an antimalarial combination that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase, blocking folate synthesis in Plasmodium parasites.
Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine is an antimalarial combination that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase, blocking folate synthesis in Plasmodium parasites. Used for Malaria prevention in pregnant women (Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy), Malaria treatment and chemoprophylaxis.
At a glance
| Generic name | IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Fansidar |
| Sponsor | London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine |
| Drug class | Antifolate antimalarial combination |
| Target | Dihydrofolate reductase; Dihydropteroate synthase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease / Parasitology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
The drug combination works synergistically: pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase while sulphadoxine inhibits dihydropteroate synthase, both enzymes critical for parasite folate metabolism. This dual inhibition prevents DNA synthesis and replication in malaria parasites. IPTp (Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy) uses this combination as chemoprophylaxis to prevent malaria infection during pregnancy.
Approved indications
- Malaria prevention in pregnant women (Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy)
- Malaria treatment and chemoprophylaxis
Common side effects
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Rash
- Folate deficiency
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare)
Key clinical trials
- Optimal Chemopreventive Regimens to Prevent Malaria and Improve Birth Outcomes in Uganda (PHASE3)
- Effectiveness, Feasibility and Acceptability of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention in Aweil South County in South Sudan (PHASE3)
- Chemoprevention Efficacy Study in Burkina Faso (PHASE4)
- TIPTOP Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) Drug Resistance Study
- The ASPIRE Trial - Aiming for Safe Pregnancies by Reducing Malaria and Infections of the Reproductive Tract (PHASE3)
- Comparison of ISTp- PYRAMAX-US-RDT to IPTp-SP to Prevent Malaria in Pregnant Women in DRC (ULTRAPYRAPREG) (PHASE3)
- Improving PRegnancy Outcomes With Intermittent preVEntive Treatment in Africa (PHASE3)
- Assessing the Effectiveness of Community Delivery of Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) in Malawi (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine
What is IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine?
How does IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine work?
What is IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine used for?
Who makes IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine?
Is IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine also known as anything else?
What drug class is IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in?
What development phase is IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in?
What are the side effects of IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine?
What does IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine target?
Related
- Drug class: All Antifolate antimalarial combination drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Dihydrofolate reductase; Dihydropteroate synthase
- Manufacturer: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Infectious Disease / Parasitology
- Indication: Drugs for Malaria prevention in pregnant women (Intermittent Preventive Treatment in pregnancy)
- Indication: Drugs for Malaria treatment and chemoprophylaxis
- Also known as: Fansidar
- Compare: IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine vs similar drugs
- Pricing: IPTp-sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine cost, discount & access