Antiprotozoal
Something that destroys protozoa or inhibits their growth and ability to reproduce. A few of the protozoa of medical importance include Plasmodium (the cause of malaria); Entamoeba histolytica (the cause of amebiasis, amebic dysentery) and Trichomonas vaginalis (a cause of vaginal infection); and Pneumocystis carinii (a common cause of pneumonia in immunodeficient persons). Some antiprotozoal drugs include the antimalarials Aralen (chloroquine), Daraprim (pyrimethamine), Lariam (mefloquine) and Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine); Flagyl (metronidazole) which is active against Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis; and Mepron (atovaquone) for Pneumocystis carinii.
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an·ti·pro·to·zo·al -.prōt-ə-'zō-əl adj tending to destroy or inhibit the growth of protozoans
antiprotozoal n an antiprotozoal agent
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an·ti·pro·to·zo·al (an″te-) (an″ti-pro-tə-zoґəl) 1. destroying protozoa, or checking their growth or reproduction. 2. an agent that destroys parasites or checks their growth or reproduction.
Medical dictionary.
2011.