DHFR inhibitor (protozoal)
Protozoal dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor
- ↓ tetrahydrofolate → ↓ DNA synthesis in Plasmodium, Toxoplasma
- Selectivity is narrower — human marrow is hit at therapeutic doses
- Reduced folate bypasses the block → protects the marrow
- Selective for the PROTOZOAL enzyme — Plasmodium, Toxoplasma
- Selectivity is narrower than trimethoprim’s: human marrow is hit at therapeutic doses
- Leucovorin is given alongside to protect the marrow, not to reverse the drug
Drugs with this mechanism (1)
- Pyrimethamine — Antifolate antiparasitic for toxoplasmosis.
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