NEW MALARIA MED: Aablaquine
Aablaquine is a combination drug kit marketed in India for the radical treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria, designed to prevent relapses. It consists of Chloroquine phosphate tablets and Bulaquine capsules. Bulaquine is an 8-aminoquinoline derivative (a synthetic analogue of primaquine) developed by the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) that acts on dormant liver-stage parasites.
Key Aspects of Aablaquine/Bulaquine:
* Purpose: Specifically for preventing relapses (anti-relapse) in P. vivax malaria.
* Composition: Combination of Chloroquine and Bulaquine (sometimes referred to as CDRI 80/53).
* Mechanism: Bulaquine works by causing oxidative stress, disrupting mitochondrial function in the parasite, and triggering an immune response to eliminate liver-stage parasites.
* Development: Developed as an improved, less toxic alternative to primaquine.
* Administration: It is typically used in a specific dosage regimen to maximize effectiveness.
It is considered a significant development in malaria treatment in India, acting as a “radical cure” by destroying the hypnozoites (dormant parasites) in the liver.
