What is the antifolate drug?

Antifolates are a class of antimetabolite medications that antagonise (that is, block) the actions of folic acid (vitamin B9). Folic acid’s primary function in the body is as a cofactor to various methyltransferases involved in serine, methionine, thymidine and purine biosynthesis.

What is the best drug for anti malaria?

Medications

  • Chloroquine phosphate. Chloroquine is the preferred treatment for any parasite that is sensitive to the drug.
  • Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). ACT is a combination of two or more drugs that work against the malaria parasite in different ways.

What is the name of the anti malarial drug?

Chloroquine phosphate is used to prevent and treat malaria. It is also used to treat amebiasis. Chloroquine phosphate is in a class of drugs called antimalarials and amebicides. It works by killing the organisms that cause malaria and amebiasis.

How do Antifolates work?

The antifolate, methotrexate, tightly binds dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) thereby inhibiting folate metabolism. Through this inhibition, thymidylate synthesis is blocked, and thus, purine biosynthesis. In addition, some amino acid synthesis is impaired through blockade of this enzyme resulting in cytotoxicity.

Is methotrexate an antifolate?

Methotrexate is an antifolate and antimetabolite originally developed to treat malignancy. In the setting of RA, it is given at much lower doses than when given as an anticancer agent. The usual dose is 7.5 to 25 mg per week given as a single dose orally.

Why is folate good for you?

Folate (vitamin B-9) is important in red blood cell formation and for healthy cell growth and function. The nutrient is crucial during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine.

Can ivermectin treat malaria?

Ivermectin is widely used in mass drug administrations for controlling neglected parasitic diseases, and can be lethal to malaria vectors that bite treated humans. Therefore, it could be a new tool to reduce plasmodium transmission.

Is chloroquine good for malaria?

Chloroquine is used to prevent and treat malaria. It is also used to treat liver infection caused by protozoa (extraintestinal amebiasis). Chloroquine may also be used to treat coronavirus (COVID-19) in certain hospitalized patients.

Why is methotrexate an antifolate?