What are anti-antiprotozoal drugs?
Antiprotozoal Drugs 1 Definition. Antiprotozoal drugs are medicines that treat infections caused by protozoa. 2 Purpose. Antiprotozoal drugs are used to treat a variety of diseases caused by protozoa. ... 3 Description. ... 4 Recommended dosage. ... 5 Precautions. ... 6 KEY TERMS. ... 7 Side effects. ... 8 Interactions. ...
What is the mechanism of action of antiprotozoals?
The mechanisms of antiprotozoal drugs differ significantly drug to drug. For example, it appears that eflornithine, a drug used to treat trypanosomiasis, inhibits ornithine decarboxylase, while the aminoglycoside antibiotic/antiprotozoals used to treat leishmaniasis are thought to inhibit protein synthesis.
What is another name for protozoal drug?
Alternative Title: protozoacidal drug. Antiprotozoal drug, any agent that kills or inhibits the growth of organisms known as protozoans. Protozoans cause a variety of diseases, including malaria and Chagas’ disease.
How to manage patients who are taking other antiprotozoal agents?
These are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking other antiprotozoal agents: Arrange for appropriate culture and sensitivity tests before beginning therapy to ensure proper drug for susceptible species. Administer the complete course of the drug to get the full beneficial effects.
What medication is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal?
A combination of an antiprotozoal agent and an antibiotic—atovaquone plus azithromycin or, alternatively, quinine plus clindamycin—is used to treat symptomatic patients in order to prevent sequelae and potential transmission through blood donation.
How are antiprotozoal drugs given?
It is given orally and results in the production of activated forms of oxygen, which are lethal to the parasite. Other forms of trypanosomiasis (African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness) are caused by T. brucei gambiense or T.
Is an antiprotozoal an antibiotic?
Metronidazole is an antimicrobial, antiprotozoal agent that is lipophilic readily penetrating the blood-brain barrier and causes neurotoxicity in dogs and cats. The drug is also used in the chronic treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Is metronidazole an antiprotozoal?
Metronidazole is an imidazole that is used for the treatment of antibacterial and antiprotozoal infections, including bacterial vaginosis and antibiotic-associated colitis.
What diseases do antiprotozoals treat?
Introduction. Antiprotozoals are used to treat a variety of protozoal diseases, except malaria. Included among the conditions that respond to antiprotozoals are amebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, balantidiasis, and babesiosis.
What is protozoal infection?
Protozoal infections are characterized by hyperproliferation of the infectious agent independent of the parasites living intracellularly or extracellularly of their respective host cells. From: Significant Pharmaceuticals Reported in US Patents, 2007.
What is metronidazole used for?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic. It's used to treat skin infections, rosacea and mouth infections, including infected gums and dental abscesses. It's also used to treat conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease.
What antibiotic treats protozoa?
Metronidazole (Flagyl) Used for infections caused by E histolytica, B coli, B hominis, and G lamblia.
What is a main mode of action of antiprotozoal drugs?
Abstract. The mechanisms of action of antiprotozoal and anthelmintic drugs are reviewed according to: (1) drugs interfering with metabolic processes; (2) drugs interfering with reproduction and larval physiology; and (3) drugs interfering with neuromuscular physiology of parasites.
What type of drug is metronidazole?
Metronidazole belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
What type of drug is ciprofloxacin?
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It is used to treat serious infections, or infections when other anitbiotics have not worked.
Is Flagyl an antibiotic or antiprotozoal?
Metronidazole, sold under the brand name Flagyl among others, is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication. It is used either alone or with other antibiotics to treat pelvic inflammatory disease, endocarditis, and bacterial vaginosis.
How are protozoal infections treated?
Protozoal infectionsDaraprim (pyrimethamine)Diloxanide.Fasigyn (tinidazole)Flagyl tablets (metronidazole)Mepacrine.Metronidazole tablets and suspension.Norzol suspension (metronidazole)Pentacarinat injection.More items...•
What is the mechanism of action of Antiprotozoal drugs?
Abstract. The mechanisms of action of antiprotozoal and anthelmintic drugs are reviewed according to: (1) drugs interfering with metabolic processes; (2) drugs interfering with reproduction and larval physiology; and (3) drugs interfering with neuromuscular physiology of parasites.
How do antiparasitic drugs work?
Antiparasitic drugs work by: Killing the parasite or the parasite's eggs. Stopping the parasite's growth. Paralyzing the parasites so they cannot attach themselves to the host.
Are Antiprotozoal over the counter?
Chloroquine and proguanil are available 'over the counter' (OTC) whereas mefloquine and Malarone® require a private prescription.
What is the treatment for folic acid synthesis in protozoans?
These infections are treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which inhibits folic acid synthesis in protozoans. An alternative agent for treatment of these diseases is pentamidine isethionate, which probably affects the parasite by binding to DNA. Chloroquine phosphate, given orally, is a drug used for the prevention and treatment ...
What is the drug of choice for African trypanosomiasis?
brucei rhodesiense. When these parasites invade the blood or lymph, the drug of choice for either form is suramin, a nonmetallic dye that affects glucose utilization and hence energy production.
What is the drug used for giardiasis?
Metronidazole is also the drug of choice in the treatment of giardiasis, an infection of the intestine caused by a flagellated amoeba. Iodoquinol inhibits several enzymes of protozoans. It is given orally for treating asymptomatic amoebiasis and is given either by itself or in combination with metronidazole for intestinal and hepatic amoebiasis. ...
What is trypanosoma cruzi?
Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease, is treated with nifurtimox, a nitrofuran derivative. It is given orally and results in the production of activated forms of oxygen, which are lethal to the parasite. Other forms of trypanosomiasis (African ...
What is chloroquine phosphate used for?
Chloroquine phosphate, given orally, is a drug used for the prevention and treatment of uncomplicated cases of malaria, which is caused by species of Plasmodium. In regions where chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum is encountered, mefloquine or doxycycline may be used for prevention of the disease.
Why is primaquine phosphate given?
Primaquine phosphate is given orally to prevent malaria after a person has left an area where P. vivax and P. ovale are endemic and to prevent relapses with the same organisms. This article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers, Senior Editor.
Is a protozoan a protist?
protozoan. protozoan, organism, usually single-celled and heterotrophic ( using organic carbon as a source of energy), belonging to any of the major lineages of protists and, like most protists, typically microscopic. All protozoans are eukaryotes and therefore possess a “true,” or membrane-bound, nucleus.
What is an antiprotozoal?
Antiprotozoal drugs are used to treat a variety of diseases caused by protozoa. Protozoa are animal-like, one-celled animals, such as amoebas. Some are parasites that cause infections in the body. African sleeping sickness, giardiasis, amebiasis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), and malaria are examples of diseases caused by protozoa.
Can metronidazole cause liver damage?
Likewise, metronidazole (Flagyl) can cause serious liver damage if taken with alcohol. Check with the physician who prescribed the drug or the pharmacist who filled the prescription for a list of products to avoid while taking these medicines.
Can antiprotozoal drugs interact with other drugs?
Antiprotozoal drugs may interact with other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes antiprotozoal drugs should let the physician know all other medicines he or she is taking. Among the drugs that may interact with antiprotozoal drugs are:
Can you give antiprotozoal to a child?
Children are especially sensitive to the effects of some antiprotozoal drugs. Never give this medicine to a child unless directed to do so by a physician, and always keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Use safety vials.
Should you let your doctor know about antiprotozoal?
Anyone who has ever had unusual reactions to antiprotozoal drugs or related medicines should let his or her physician know before taking the drugs again. The physician should also be told about any allergies to foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances.
Can antiprotozoal drugs cause bleeding?
Some antiprotozoal drugs may cause problems with the blood. This can increase the risk of infection or excessive bleeding. Patients taking these drugs shouldbe careful not to injure their gums when brushing or flossing their teeth or using a toothpick. They shouldcheck with the physician before having any dentalwork done. Care should also be taken to avoidcuts from razors, nail clippers, or kitchen knives, orhousehold tools. Anyone who has any of these symptoms while taking antiprotozoal drugs should call the physician immediately:
What is antiprotozoal drug?
Antiprotozoal drugs are agents used to treat variety of protozoal infections. Protozoa are unicellular eukaryotes, therefore, they have metabolic processes closer to those of the human host than to prokaryotic bacterial pathogens.
Do protozoal infections cause toxic effects?
Therefore, protozoal diseases are less easily treated than bacterial infections, and many of the antiprotozoal drugs cause serious toxic effects in the host , particularly on cells showing high metabolic activity.
What is an antiprotozoal?
Antiprotozoals are agents used to treat protozoan infections. Protozoan infections are common in tropical areas. Protozoans are single-celled organisms that pass through several stages in their life cycles, including at least one phase as a human parasite. While protozoans thrive in tropical climate, they may also survive ...
What is antimalarial therapy?
Antimalarials are agents used to attack Plasmodium at various stages of its life cycle. Through this, it becomes possible to prevent acute malarial reaction in individuals who have been infected by the parasite.
How long after tinidazole can you drink alcohol?
Avoid alcohol for at least 3 days after treatment. Oral anticoagulants: increased bleeding with metronidazole and tinidazole.
What is the agent that works against the red blood cell phase of the life cycle?
These agents can be schizonticidal (acting against the red- blood -cell phase of the life cycle), gametocytocidal (acting against the gametocytes), sporontocidal (acting against the parasites that are developing in the mosquito), or work against tissue schizonts as prophylactic or antirelapse agent.
What is the most common parasite in the United States?
Is caused by G.lamblia, the most commonly diagnosed intestinal parasite in the United States.
Where do sporozoites travel?
Sporozoites travel through bloodstream and become lodged in the liver and other tissues.
Is chloroquine toxic to parasites?
Entering human red blood cells and changing the metabolic pathways necessary for the reproduction. Chloroquine, the mainstay of treatment, in addition to this main mechanism, is directly toxic to parasites and decreases the ability of the parasite to synthesize DNA.
What are antiprotozoals used for?
Medical Uses. Antiprotozoals are used to treat protozoal infections, which include amebiasis, giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis, microsporidiosis, malaria, babesiosis, trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and toxoplasmosis. Currently, many of the treatments for these infections are limited by their toxicity.
What are some examples of antiprotozoal drugs?
For example, it appears that eflornithine, a drug used to treat trypanosomiasis, inhibits ornithine decarboxylase, while the aminoglycoside antibiotic/antiprotozoals used to treat leishmaniasis are thought to inhibit protein synthesis.
What is ATC code for protozoa?
Antiprotozoal agents ( ATC code: ATC P01) is a class of pharmaceuticals used in treatment of protozoan infection .
Is a protist a protozoan?
Once upon a time protists were considered protozoans, but of late the categorization of unicellar organisms has undergone rapid development, however in literature, including scientific, there tends to persist the usage of the term antiprotozoal when they really mean anti-protist. Protists are a supercategory of eukaryota which includes protozoa .
Which protozoa live in the liver?
As a reminder, the life cycle of the malaria-causing protozoa is presented. P. vivax and P. ovale are the two species that can take up residence in the liver.
What are the side effects of Metronidazole?
The most common side effects are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The drug can turn the urine dark or red-brown and cause a metallic taste in the mouth. Metronidazole can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when taken with alcohol. The disulfiram-like effect consists of abdominal cramping, vomiting, flushing, or headache after drinking alcohol.
How many species of plasmodia are there?
There are over 50 species of plasmodia, but only four are infectious to humans: Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium falciparum. Plasmodium vivax is the most prevalent, but P. falciparum is the most serious and lethal form of malaria. + +.
Is metronidazole an anaerobic drug?
Metronidazole is one of the most effective drugs against anaerobic bacteria and several proto zoal species . It is highly effective in the treatment of trichomoniasis. It penetrates protozoal and bacterial cell walls, but cannot enter mammalian cells. The drug must be activated once it has entered the cell. The activating enzyme, nitroreductase, is only found in anaerobic organisms. The reduced metronidazole inhibits DNA replication by causing breaks and inhibiting repair of the DNA.
Is metronidazole an antifungal?
METRONIDAZOLE. METRONIDAZOLE is effective in the treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis, giardiasis, and all forms of amebiasis. First note that metronidazole, fenbendazole, and tinidazole end in “azole,” but are not anti-fungal agents.
What is an antiprotozoal?
Antiprotozoals are agents used to treat protozoan infections. Protozoan infections are common in tropical areas. Protozoans are single-celled organisms that pass through several stages in their life cycles, including at least one phase as a human parasite. While protozoans thrive in tropical climate, they may also survive ...
What are nursing interventions for patients taking antiprotozoal agents?
These are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking other antiprotozoal agents: Arrange for appropriate culture and sensitivity tests before beginning therapy to ensure proper drug for susceptible species. Administer the complete course of the drug to get the full beneficial effects.
How long after tinidazole can you drink alcohol?
Alcohol: severe adverse effects with tinidazole and metronidazole. Avoid alcohol for at least 3 days after treatment.
What is the most common parasite in the United States?
Is caused by G.lamblia, the most commonly diagnosed intestinal parasite in the United States.
Where do sporozoites travel?
Sporozoites travel through bloodstream and become lodged in the liver and other tissues.
Is chloroquine toxic to parasites?
Entering human red blood cells and changing the metabolic pathways necessary for the reproduction. Chloroquine, the mainstay of treatment, in addition to this main mechanism, is directly toxic to parasites and decreases the ability of the parasite to synthesize DNA.
Can antiprotozoal therapy affect older patients?
Older patients are more susceptible to adverse effects of antiprotozoal therapy, particularly those with hepatic and renal dysfunctions.
What is the active component of an antipyretic herbal medicine used in China for over 2000 years?
o Analogs of the compound artemisinin; the active component of an antipyretic herbal medicine used in China for over 2000 years
Which cytochrome is targeted by Atovaquone?
Atovaquone: Targets the protozoal mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex causing inhibition of the electron transport chain
Which parasites cause clinical illness?
Only the erythrocytic forms of the parasite (merozoites) cause clinical illness
Can metronidazole be used for amebic abscesses?
Particularly for the therapy of amebic abscesses that fail initial metronidazole therapy
Does primaquine eliminate hypnozoites?
Does NOT elimina te hypnozoites of P. vivax/ovale; patients require primaquine as terminal prophylaxis
Purpose
Description
- Antiprotozoal drugs come in liquid, tablet, and injectable forms and are available only with a doctor's prescription. Some commonly used antiprotozoal drugs are metronidazole (Flagyl), eflornithine (Ornidyl), furazolidone (Furoxone), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), iodoquinol (Diquinol, Yodoquinol, Yodoxin), and pentamidine (Pentam 300).
Recommended Dosage
- The recommended dosage depends on the type of antiprotozoal drug, its strength, and the medical problem for which it is being used. Check with the physician who prescribed the drug or the pharmacist who filled the prescription for the correct dosage. Always take antiprotozoal drugs exactly as directed.
Precautions
- Some people feel dizzy, confused, lightheaded, or less alert when using these drugs. The drugs may also cause blurred vision and other vision problems. For these reasons, anyone who takes these drugs should not drive, use machines or do anything else that might be dangerous until they have found out how the drugs affect them. The antiprotozoal drug furazolidone may cause very …
Key Terms
- Amebiasis—An infection caused by an ameba, which is a type of protozoan. Fetus—A developing baby inside the womb. Giardiasis— A condition in which the intestines are infected with Giardia lamblia, a type of protozoan. Inflammation—Pain, redness, swelling, and heat that usually develop in response to injury or illness. Parasite—An organism that lives and feeds in or on another orga…
Side Effects
- The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,and stomach pain. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment. Other rare side effects may occur. Anyone who has unusual symptoms after taking an antiprotozoal drug should get in touch with his or her physician.
Interactions
- Antiprotozoal drugs may interact with other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes antiprotozoal drugs should let the physician know all other medicines he or she is taking. Among the drugs that may interact with antiprotozoal drugs are: 1. Alcohol 2. Anticancer drugs 3. Medic…
Disease Spotlight: Protozoal Diseases
- Malaria
1. It is a disease characterized by a cycle of fever and chills transmitted through a bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Identified causes include Plasmodium falciparum, vivax, malariae, and ovale. Malariais endemic in many parts of the world. 2. Sporozoites travel through bloodstream … - Amebiasis
1. It is an intestinal infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica. It is often known as amoebic dysentery. The disease is transmitted through fecal-oral route. 2. Amebiasis is characterized by mild to fulminant diarrhea. In worst cases, it is able to invade extraintestinal tissue.
Antimalarials
- Antimalarials are agents used to attack Plasmodium at various stages of its life cycle. Through this, it becomes possible to prevent acute malarial reaction in individuals who have been infected by...
- These agents can be schizonticidal (acting against the red-blood-cell phase of the life cycle), gametocytocidal (acting against the gametocytes), sporontocidal (acting against the parasit…
- Antimalarials are agents used to attack Plasmodium at various stages of its life cycle. Through this, it becomes possible to prevent acute malarial reaction in individuals who have been infected by...
- These agents can be schizonticidal (acting against the red-blood-cell phase of the life cycle), gametocytocidal (acting against the gametocytes), sporontocidal (acting against the parasites that ar...
- Quinine (Qualaquine) was the first drug found to be effective in the treatment of malaria.
Other Antiprotozoal Agents
- Therapeutic Action
The desired and beneficial action of other antiprotozoal agents is: 1. Inhibiting DNA synthesis in susceptible protozoa, interfering with cell’s ability to reproduce, subsequently leading to cell death. - Indications
Other antiprotozoal agents are indicated for the following medical conditions: 1. Treatment of infections caused by susceptible protozoa.
Practice Test: Antiprotozoal Agents
- Practice quiz for this nursing pharmacology study guide. Please visit our nursing test bank page for more NCLEX practice questions. 1. Chagas’ disease is passed to humans by which of the following vector? A. female Anopheles mosquito B. housefly C. tsetse fly D. dragonfly 1. Answer: B. housefly. Option A is for malaria while option C is for African sleeping sickness. 2. Which of th…
Recommended Resources
- Recommended resources and reference books. Disclosure: Includes Amazon affiliate links. 1. Focus on Nursing Pharmacology– Easy to follow guide for Pharmacology 2. NCLEX-RN Drug Guide: 300 Medications You Need to Know for the Exam– Great if you’re reviewing for the NCLEX 3. Nursing 2017 Drug Handbook (Nursing Drug Handbook)– Reliable nursing drug handbook! 4. …
See Also
- Here are other nursing pharmacology study guides: 1. Nursing Pharmacology – Study Guide for Nurses Gastrointestinal System Drugs 1. Antacids 2. Histamine-2 Antagonists 3. Proton Pump Inhibitors Respiratory System Drugs 1. Antihistamines 2. Bronchodilators and Antiasthmatics 3. Decongestants 4. Expectorants and Mucolytics 5. Inhaled Steroids 6. Lung Surfactants Endocrin…
References and Sources
- References and sources for this pharmacology guide for Antiprotozoal Drugs: 1. Karch, A. M., & Karch. (2011). Focus on nursing pharmacology. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [Link] 2. Katzung, B. G. (2017). Basic and clinical pharmacology. McGraw-Hill Education. 3. Lehne, R. A., Moore, L. A., Crosby, L. J., & Hamilton, D. B. (2004). Pharmacology for nursing car…