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Sulfadoxine pyrimethamine
Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is a fixed-dose combination of two antifolate drugs that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase, blocking folate synthesis in parasites and preventing malaria and toxoplasmosis.
Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine is a fixed-dose combination of two antifolate drugs that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase, blocking folate synthesis in parasites and preventing malaria and toxoplasmosis. Used for Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum), Toxoplasmosis prophylaxis and treatment, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis.
At a glance
| Generic name | Sulfadoxine pyrimethamine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Fansidar, SP, fansidar, IPTp-SP |
| Sponsor | Radboud University Medical Center |
| Drug class | Antifolate antimalarial |
| Target | Dihydrofolate reductase; dihydropteroate synthase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Sulfadoxine inhibits bacterial dihydropteroate synthase, while pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase in both parasites and bacteria. Together, they sequentially block folate metabolism, which is essential for nucleotide synthesis and parasite survival. This combination is particularly effective against Plasmodium falciparum (malaria) and Toxoplasma gondii.
Approved indications
- Malaria (Plasmodium falciparum)
- Toxoplasmosis prophylaxis and treatment
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis
Common side effects
- Rash
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Bone marrow suppression
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare)
Key clinical trials
- Improving Care Through Azithromycin Research for Infants in Africa (PHASE3)
- Improving Cognition and Gestational Duration With Targeted Nutrition (NA)
- MULTIple Doses of IPTi Proposal: a Lifesaving High Yield Intervention
- Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention in the Malaria Vaccine Era (PHASE4)
- Milk Fat Globule Membrane-Enhanced RUTF for Children With Severe Acute Malnutrition (NA)
- Preventing Malaria in School Children to Protect the Whole Community in Rural Blantyre District, Malawi (PHASE4)
- Optimal Chemopreventive Regimens to Prevent Malaria and Improve Birth Outcomes in Uganda (PHASE3)
- Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine Plus Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (PHASE3)
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:
- Sulfadoxine pyrimethamine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Sulfadoxine pyrimethamine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Radboud University Medical Center portfolio CI