Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: PYRIMETHAMINE versus PYRIMETHAMINE SULFADOXINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: PYRIMETHAMINE versus PYRIMETHAMINE SULFADOXINE.
PYRIMETHAMINE vs Pyrimethamine-Sulfadoxine
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) in the parasite, blocking the conversion of dihydrofolate to tetrahydrofolate, thereby inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis.
Pyrimethamine inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, blocking tetrahydrofolate synthesis. Sulfadoxine inhibits dihydropteroate synthase, blocking folate synthesis. Sequential blockade of folate metabolism.
For toxoplasmosis: 200 mg orally once, then 50-75 mg orally once daily for 4-6 weeks, plus sulfadiazine and folinic acid. For malaria prophylaxis: 25 mg orally once weekly.
Pyrimethamine 25 mg plus sulfadoxine 500 mg per tablet; typical adult dose for acute uncomplicated malaria is 3 tablets (pyrimethamine 75 mg, sulfadoxine 1500 mg) orally as a single dose. For toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients: loading dose pyrimethamine 200 mg orally once, then pyrimethamine 50-75 mg orally once daily plus sulfadoxine 1000-1500 mg orally once daily (dosing based on sulfadoxine component) for 4-6 weeks, then reduce to half.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderatePyrimethamine + Fesoterodine
"The serum concentration of the active metabolites of Fesoterodine can be increased when Fesoterodine is used in combination with Pyrimethamine."
Clinical Note
moderatePyrimethamine + Artemether
"The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Pyrimethamine is combined with Artemether."
Clinical Note
moderatePyrimethamine + Lumefantrine
"The risk or severity of QTc prolongation can be increased when Pyrimethamine is combined with Lumefantrine."
Clinical Note
moderateTerminal elimination half-life is approximately 96 hours (range 80-123 hours) in adults with normal renal function; prolonged in renal impairment (up to 200 hours). This long half-life supports weekly dosing regimens.
Pyrimethamine: ~80-120 hours; Sulfadoxine: ~100-200 hours. Long half-lives allow single-dose therapy for malaria.
Primarily renal (approximately 30% unchanged and 20-30% as metabolites); additional biliary/fecal elimination (20-30% as metabolites). Total urinary excretion of parent drug and metabolites accounts for 60-80% of dose.
Renal: ~60% unchanged sulfadoxine, ~5% unchanged pyrimethamine; fecal: ~10% pyrimethamine. Biliary excretion minimal.
Category D/X
Category C
Antimalarial / Antiprotozoal
Antimalarial
Cyclophosphamide + Pyrimethamine
"The metabolism of Pyrimethamine can be decreased when combined with Cyclophosphamide."