Atovaquone
Atovaquone
Atovaquone (pronounced as a-toe-va-kwone) is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of drugs known as antiprotozoal agents. It is used in the treatment and prevention of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) and malaria.
Etymology
The name 'Atovaquone' is derived from its chemical structure, which is 2-[trans-4-(4'-chlorophenyl) cyclohexyl]-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone. It was first synthesized in the late 1980s by the pharmaceutical company Wellcome (now part of GlaxoSmithKline).
Usage
Atovaquone is used in combination with other drugs such as proguanil to treat or prevent malaria. It is also used to prevent and treat Pneumocystis pneumonia, a type of pneumonia that often affects people with HIV/AIDS. Atovaquone works by interfering with the reproduction of the parasites that cause these diseases.
Related Terms
- Antiprotozoal: A class of drugs used to treat infections caused by protozoa.
- Pneumocystis pneumonia: A type of pneumonia caused by a yeast-like fungus.
- Malaria: A disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
- Proguanil: A medication that is often used in combination with atovaquone to treat or prevent malaria.
- HIV/AIDS: A disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Atovaquone
- Wikipedia's article - Atovaquone
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