ScienceAugust 8, 2026

primaquine

PRIME-uh-kween

Definition

A synthetic drug used to treat and prevent malaria, specifically effective at eradicating the dormant liver-stage parasites that cause recurring relapses.

Etymology

The name is a portmanteau derived from 'prima' (Latin for 'first') and 'quinoline,' the chemical structure of the drug. It was given this name to distinguish it from earlier antimalarial compounds.

In the news

In the article, primaquine is highlighted as the successful result of Dr. Lillian Eichelberger's research, providing a 'radical cure' for malaria that saved countless lives during WWII and the Korean War.

Lillian Eichelberger: Helped Establish Medical Ethics in Post WWII America

Read the full article ↗

Substack

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