ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Science

Novel anti-malaria drug can flush the parasite out of hiding with a single pill

The Food and Drug Administration recently gave the green light for the first new malaria drug in 60 years.

Alexandru MicubyAlexandru Micu
December 25, 2020
in Biology, Diseases, News, Science
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Known as tafenoquine, the new drug was developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). After receiving FDA approval, the drug also has to pass the scrutiny of other national drug regulation agencies before it can see global use.

Plasmodium vivax.
Stained micrograph showing a mature Plasmodium vivax trophozoite (the purple blotch in the middle).
Image credits CDC / Steven Glenn, Laboratory & Consultation Division.

The compound is tailored to fight the recurring form of malaria. This disease, caused by the parasite Plasmodium vivax and estimated to infect over 8 million people each year, is especially tricky to cure as the parasite can hide in the host’s liver and emerge many times over a period of years.

Persistent malaria

The recurring form of the disease is the most commonly encountered type of malaria outside of Sub-Saharan Africa. Children are particularly hard-hit by the disease. A single bite from a malaria-infected mosquito will cause several bouts of the disease, which means a lot of missed school and progressively-poorer health during formative years.

Even worse, infected individuals act as unwilling spreaders of the disease. If the parasite reawakens and passes through to their blood, any mosquito that bites them will spread malaria to other people. This combination of a dormant state and high infectivity make recurring malaria especially hard to eliminate.

Still, with the FDA’s recent approval of tafenoquine, that state of affairs may change. The drug can flush the parasite out of its dormant state in the liver, preventing it from re-infecting its host. Even better, tafenoquine doesn’t interfere with other drugs used to treat the immediate infection caused by the parasite, so both treatments can be taken side-by-side.

We already have a drug on hand to clear the plasmodium out of the liver — it’s called primaquine. However, primaquine treatment needs to be followed for 14 days at a time, while the tafenoquine course only involves taking a single dose.

There’s a legitimate concern in the medical community that many patients with recurring malaria feel better after a few days of primaquine treatment and don’t follow the course to its completion — which isn’t nearly enough to flush out all the parasites.

RelatedPosts

Drug-Resistant Malaria Could Pose Huge Global Threat
Drug could make human blood deadly toxic to mosquitoes
New lung cancer drug results are so good it’s “off the charts”
World’s first malaria vaccine launched in a pilot program

While the FDA approval of the drug vouches for its effectiveness, the administration warns that the drug comes with side effects you should be aware of.

First and foremost, people suffering from enzyme G6PD deficiency should not take the drug, as it can cause severe anemia. The FDA recommends that patients are screened for this deficiency before being given the treatment — but this may be virtually impossible in the poorer areas where malaria is most common. Secondly, there are concerns that higher doses may interact with pre-existing psychiatric conditions.

Despite its potential risks, the drug could help reduce the incidence of Plasmodium vivax malaria on a global level, however.

“The approval of Krintafel [the brand name for tafenoquine], the first new treatment for Plasmodium vivax malaria in over 60 years, is a significant milestone for people living with this type of relapsing malaria,” says Dr Hal Barron, president of research and development at GSK. “Together with our partner, Medicines for Malaria Venture, we believe Krintafel will be an important medicine for patients with malaria and contribute to the ongoing effort to eradicate this disease.”

The next step will be for the drug to be assessed by regulators in countries where this form of malaria is a significant problem.

Tags: malariaRecurringTefenoquinetreatment

ShareTweetShare
Alexandru Micu

Alexandru Micu

Stunningly charming pun connoisseur, I have been fascinated by the world around me since I first laid eyes on it. Always curious, I'm just having a little fun with some very serious science.

Related Posts

Diseases

Mysterious “Disease X” identified as aggressive strain of malaria

byMihai Andrei
5 months ago
Health

There are actually 6 types of depression and anxiety. Each should be treated differently

byTibi Puiu
11 months ago
Health

New lung cancer drug results are so good it’s “off the charts”

byMihai Andrei
12 months ago
Health

Why these volunteers were vaccinated against malaria using a box filled with 200 mosquitoes

byTibi Puiu
1 year ago

Recent news

Doctors Warn That Bringing Your Phone to the Bathroom Could Backfire in a Painful Way

May 21, 2025

Scientists Just Discovered What Happens in Your Brain During an Eureka Moment

May 21, 2025

Almost Half of Teens Say They’d Rather Grow Up Without the Internet

May 21, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.