An acridine derivative formerly widely used as an antimalarial but superseded by chloroquine in recent years. It has also been used as an anthelmintic and in the treatment of giardiasis... It is used in cell biological experiments as an inhibitor of phospholipase A2.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
The exact mechanism of antiparasitic action is unknown; however, quinacrine binds to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in vitro by intercalation between adjacent base pairs, inhibiting transcription and translation to ribonucleic acid (RNA). Quinacrine does not appear to localize to the nucleus of Giaridia trophozoites, suggesting that DNA binding may not be the primary mechanism of its antimicrobial action. Fluorescence studies using Giardia suggest that the outer membranes may be involved. Quinacrine inhibits succinate oxidation and interferes with electron transport. In addition, by binding to nucleoproteins, quinacrine suppress the lupus erythematous cell factor and acts as a strong inhibitor of cholinesterase.
- Primary indication
- For the treatment of giardiasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis and the management of malignant effusions.Curator reviewed
- Formula / weight
- C23H30ClN3O · 399.957 g/mol (avg)
- Also known as
- Mepacrine
Resolves to
GPKJTRJOBQGKQK-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCCN(CC)CCCC(C)NC1=C2C=C(OC)C=CC2=NC2=C1C=CC(Cl)=C2What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Quinacrine, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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