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pyrimethamine
noun
py·ri·meth·amine
ˌpī-rə-ˈme-thə-ˌmēn
: 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.
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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.
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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
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Word History
Etymology
pyrimidine + ethyl + amine
First Known Use
1952, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near pyrimethamine
Cite this Entry
“Pyrimethamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyrimethamine. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Medical Definition
pyrimethamine
noun
py·ri·meth·amine
ˌpī-rə-ˈmeth-ə-ˌmēn
: 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.
More from Merriam-Webster on pyrimethamine
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pyrimethamine
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