Definition: Tafenoquine is an antimalarial medication used for the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of Plasmodium vivax malaria in individuals aged 16 years and older. It is also under investigation for malaria prophylaxis.
Overview: Tafenoquine is a long-acting 8-aminoquinoline derivative developed to prevent relapse of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, which can remain dormant in the liver as hypnozoites and cause recurrent infections. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 and by other regulatory agencies in subsequent years for specific indications. The drug is typically used in combination with other antimalarials that target the blood stage of the infection. Due to the risk of hemolytic anemia in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, testing for G6PD status is required prior to administration.
Etymology/Origin: The name "tafenoquine" follows the conventional nomenclature for 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial drugs. The prefix may be derived from chemical naming conventions or proprietary development codes, though the exact etymological origin of the name is not publicly documented. It was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in collaboration with Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV).
Characteristics:
- Chemical formula: C24H29F3N4O2
- Molecular weight: 460.51 g/mol
- Pharmacological class: 8-Aminoquinoline
- Route of administration: Oral
- Half-life: Approximately 15 days, enabling single-dose treatment regimens
- Primary use: Radical cure of P. vivax malaria; investigational use for malaria prophylaxis
- Major adverse effect: Hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient individuals
- Contraindications: G6PD deficiency, pregnancy, lactation if the infant has G6PD deficiency or unknown status
Related Topics:
- Malaria
- Plasmodium vivax
- Hypnozoite
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency
- Primaquine (a related 8-aminoquinoline)
- Antimalarial drugs
- Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV)