Antiprotozoal Agents
Causes of Protozoal Infections
- Insect bites
- Malaria
- Trypanosomiasis
- Leishmaniasis
- Ingestion or contact with the causal organism
- Amebiasis
- Giardiasis
- Trichomoniasis
Protozoal Parasites Identified as Causes of Malaria
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Considered the most dangerous type of protozoan
- Plasmodium vivax
- Milder form of the disease; seldom results in death
- Plasmodium malariae
- Endemic in tropical countries; mild symptoms
- Plasmodium ovale
- Rarely seen; in the process of being eradicated
Life Cycle of Plasmodium

Antimalarials
- Chloroquine (Aralen)
- Prevention and treatment of plasmodial malaria; treatment of extraintestinal amebiasis
- Halofantrine (Halfan)
- Treatment of plasmodial malaria in combination with other drugs
- Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
- Treatment of plasmodial malaria in combination with other drugs (particularly primaquine)
- Mefloquine (Lariam)
- Prevention and treatment of plasmodial malaria in combination with other drugs
- Primaquine (generic)
- Prevention of relapses of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium malariae infections
- Radical cure of P. vivax malaria
- Pyrimethamine (Daraprim)
- Prevention of plasmodial malaria in combination with other agents to suppress transmission
- Treatment of toxoplasmosis
- Quinine (generic)
- Treatment of chloroquine-resistant plasmodial infections
Antimalarials—Action
- Interrupt plasmodial reproduction of protein synthesis
- Agents that do not appear to affect the sporozoites are used for prophylaxis
Antimalarials—Contraindications
- Known allergy
- Liver disease
- Alcoholism
- Lactation
- Cautions
- Retinal disease or damage
- Psoriasis
Antimalarials—Adverse Effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Chills
- Malaise
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hepatic dysfunction
Antimalarials—Drug-to-Drug Interactions
- Quinine derivatives and quinine create risk for cardiac toxicity
- Antifolate drugs with pyrimethamine can increase risk of bone marrow suppression
Other Antiprotozoal Drugs
- Actions
- Inhibit DNA synthesis
- Contraindications
- Known allergy, pregnancy, CNS disease, and hepatic disease
- Adverse reactions
- Headache, dizziness, ataxia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Malaria
- Signs and symptoms
- Related to the destruction of red blood cells and toxicity to the liver
- Treatment
- Aims at attacking the parasite at the various stages of its development inside and outside the human body
Other Protozoal Infections
- Amebiasis
- Leishmaniasis
- Trypanosomiasis
- Trichomoniasis
- Giardiasis
- Pneumocystis carinii
Risk Factors for Protozoal Infections
- Unsanitary conditions
- Poor hygienic practices
Prototype Antiprotozoal Agent

Prototype Antiprotozoal Agent

Prototype Antifungal Agent

Prototype Antifungal Agent

Use of Antifungals Across the Lifespan
Common Antiprotozoal Agents
- Atovaquone (Mepron)
- Especially active against PCP
- Metronidazole (Flagyl, MetroGel, Noritate)
- Treats amebiasis, trichomoniasis, and giardiasis
- Pentamidine (Pentam 300, NebuPent)
- Treats PCP, trypanosomiasis, and leishmaniasis
- Tinidazole (Tindamax)
- Treats trichomoniasis, giardiasis, and amebiasis
Nursing Considerations for Antimalarial Agents
- Assessment (history and physical exam)
- Nursing diagnosis
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Nursing Considerations for Antiprotozoal Agents
- Assessment (history and physical exam)
- Nursing diagnosis
- Implementation
- Evaluation
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