PYRIMETHAMINE Meaning and
Definition
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Pyrimethamine is a synthetic antiparasitic medication that belongs to a class of drugs called antifolates. It is primarily used in the treatment of infections caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can cause a disease called toxoplasmosis. It is also employed in combination with other medications to treat and prevent malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
As an antifolate, pyrimethamine works by inhibiting the growth and replication of the parasite. It achieves this by targeting and blocking an enzyme called dihydrofolate reductase that is crucial for the production of DNA and RNA in the parasite. By preventing the parasite from synthesizing these essential molecules, pyrimethamine effectively curbs its reproduction and eventually eradicates the infection.
Pyrimethamine is often administered in oral tablet form and is usually taken with food to improve absorption. The dosage and duration of treatment depend on the specific infection being treated and the individual's age, weight, and overall health. Common side effects of pyrimethamine can include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, and skin reactions.
It is important to note that pyrimethamine should be used under the guidance and prescription of a healthcare professional due to potential drug interactions and the need for monitoring. Additionally, this medication is not suitable for everyone, especially individuals with certain blood disorders or known hypersensitivity to pyrimethamine or related antifolates.
Common Misspellings for PYRIMETHAMINE
- oyrimethamine
- lyrimethamine
- -yrimethamine
- 0yrimethamine
- ptrimethamine
- pgrimethamine
- phrimethamine
- purimethamine
- p7rimethamine
- p6rimethamine
- pyeimethamine
- pydimethamine
- pyfimethamine
- pytimethamine
- py5imethamine
- py4imethamine
- pyrumethamine
- pyrjmethamine
- pyrkmethamine
- pyromethamine
Etymology of PYRIMETHAMINE
The word "Pyrimethamine" has its etymology rooted in two components, "pyrimidin" and "amine".
The term "pyrimidin" refers to the chemical compound Pyrimidine, which is a heterocyclic aromatic compound composed of two nitrogen atoms and four carbon atoms in a ring structure. It is derived from the Greek word "pyrimis", meaning "wheat cake", possibly due to the compound's presence in the nucleic acids of plant tissues.
The suffix "-amine" indicates the presence of a functional group in a compound called an "amine". An amine is a derivative of ammonia in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted with an organic group. The term "amine" finds its origin in the Latin word "ammonia", which in turn comes from the Egyptian deity Amun.
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