Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Proguanil
Introduction
Proguanil (proguanil hydrochloride) is a prophylactic antimalarial drug, which works by stopping the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, from reproducing once it is in the red blood cells. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase, which is involved in the reproduction of the parasite.
Proguanil is effective against sporozoites.
Proguanil is usually taken in combination with another anti-malarial drug such as atovaquone (e.g., in the drug Malarone) or chloroquine. Malarone has fewer side effects than mefloquine, but can be more expensive because it’s taken daily. Proguanil is taken with Atovaquone for chloroquine-resistant and multidrug resistant strains of P. falciparum and P. vivax.
Proguanil also known as Paludrine (Astra Zeneca)