pyrimethamine

noun

py·​ri·​meth·​amine ˌpī-rə-ˈme-thə-ˌmēn How to pronounce pyrimethamine (audio)
: a folic acid antagonist C12H13ClN4 used in the chemoprophylaxis or treatment of malaria and in the treatment of toxoplasmosis

Examples of pyrimethamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Folate supplements can interact with several medications including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, anti-seizure medications, immunosuppressants, NSAIDs, barbiturates, diuretics, and pyrimethamine (an anti-malarial drug). Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024 Perhaps the most infamous example of a clinically effective, decades old generic drug that got transformed into a profit maker due to sky-high price increases is Daraprim (pyrimethamine). Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022 Several years later, Elion and Hitchings developed the anti-malarial agent pyrimethamine, which is now used primarily to treat a potentially fatal foodborne illness called toxoplasmosis. Patrick Adams, National Geographic, 31 Aug. 2020 Daraprim, also known as pyrimethamine, is used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs in severe cases, the FDA said. Shelby Lin Erdman and Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 29 Feb. 2020 The outlet points out that the retail price for Daraprim (pyrimethamine) is still $750 a pill, up more than 5,000 percent from its previous price of $13.50 per pill. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 4 May 2018 But these alternatives are shut down by the same mutations that make the parasites resistant to pyrimethamine. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pyrimethamine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

pyrimidine + ethyl + amine

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pyrimethamine was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near pyrimethamine

Cite this Entry

“Pyrimethamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyrimethamine. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pyrimethamine

noun
py·​ri·​meth·​amine ˌpī-rə-ˈmeth-ə-ˌmēn How to pronounce pyrimethamine (audio)
: a folic acid antagonist C12H13ClN4 that is used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis and in the prevention and treatment of malaria

Note: Pyrimethamine is marketed under the trademark Daraprim.

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