Pharmaceutical Applications
A bisquinoline used to treat malaria in China since 1978. It
is structurally related to chloroquine, but active against chloroquine-
resistant P. falciparum. A combination with dihdyroartemisinin
has shown excellent tolerability and high cure
rates for multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria.
It is highly lipid-soluble and orally well absorbed. The elimination
half-life is 20–30 days and there is extensive metabolism.
Adverse effects are similar to chloroquine, but pruritus
is uncommon.