Halofuginone Lactate is a halogenated derivative of febrifugine, a natural quinazolinone-containing compound found in the Chinese herb D. febrifuga.
Halofuginone lactate is a synthetic product of the quinazolinone group with antiprotozoal activity, especially against Coccidia and Theileria species. It is effective in many cases of calf cryptosporidiosis, as has been shown in studies in Europe and Canada. Also, halofuginone is effective in lamb cryptosporidiosis. Halofuginone prevented natural infections in kids in France and in Greece[1].
Halofuginone lactate is a salt whose antiprotozoal properties and efficacy against Cryptosporidium parvum have been demonstrated both in in vitro conditions and artificial and natural infections. The compound has a cryptosporidiostatic effect on Cryptosporidium parvum. It is mainly active in the free stages of the parasite (sporozote, merozote). The concentrations to inhibit 50% and 90% of the parasites in an in vitro test system are IC50 < 0.1 μg/ml and IC90 of 4.5 μg/ml, respectively. The bioavailability of the drug in the calf following a single oral administration is about 80%. The time necessary to obtain the maximum concentration Tmax is 11 hours. The maximum concentration in plasma Cmax is 4 ng/ml. The apparent volume of distribution is 10 l/kg. The plasmatic concentrations of halofuginone after repeated oral administrations are comparable to the pharmacokinetic pattern after a single oral treatment. Unchanged halofuginone is the major component in the tissues. The highest values have been found in the liver and the kidney. The product is mainly excreted in the urine. The terminal elimination half-life is 11.7 hours after IV administration and 30.84 hours after single oral administration.
[1] N.D. Giadinis . “Efficacy of halofuginone lactate for the treatment and prevention of cryptosporidiosis in goat kids: An extensive field trial.” Small Ruminant Research 76 3 (2008): Pages 195-200.
