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Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine/folic acid
Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase in parasites, blocking folate synthesis, while folic acid supplementation protects human cells from toxicity.
Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and dihydropteroate synthase in parasites, blocking folate synthesis, while folic acid supplementation protects human cells from toxicity. Used for Malaria prophylaxis and treatment (Plasmodium falciparum), Toxoplasmosis prophylaxis and treatment in immunocompromised patients.
At a glance
| Generic name | Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine/folic acid |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Drug class | Antifolate antimalarial |
| Target | Dihydrofolate reductase; dihydropteroate synthase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine are antifolate agents that sequentially inhibit enzymes critical for parasitic nucleotide synthesis, preventing DNA replication in Plasmodium species and Toxoplasma gondii. Folic acid is co-formulated to mitigate bone marrow suppression and other toxicities in the host by providing an alternative folate source that bypasses the blocked enzymatic pathway in human cells.
Approved indications
- Malaria prophylaxis and treatment (Plasmodium falciparum)
- Toxoplasmosis prophylaxis and treatment in immunocompromised patients
Common side effects
- Rash
- Bone marrow suppression
- Hepatotoxicity
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Gastrointestinal disturbance
Key clinical trials
- Dose Escalation PfSPZ-CVac (PHASE1)
- Nutritional and Anti-infective Interventions for Malnutrition in Pregnancy (Beleuman Welbodi) (NA)
- Sanaria PfSPZ Challenge With Pyrimethamine Chemoprophylaxis (PfSPZ-CVac Approach): Phase 1 Trial to Determine Safety and Protective Efficacy of Sanaria PfSPZ Challenge With Concurrent Pyrimethamine Treatment That Inhibits Development of Asexual B... (PHASE1)
- Folic Acid Supplementation in Gambian Primigravidae (PHASE3)
- The Effect of Folic Acid on Efficacy of Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in Pregnant Women in Western Kenya (PHASE4)
- Prevention of Intrauterine Growth Retardation in Burkina Faso: the Malaria Component (PHASE4)
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 |
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