pyrimethamine
noun
py·ri·meth·amine
ˌpī-rə-ˈme-thə-ˌmēn 
: a folic acid antagonist C12H13ClN4 used in the chemoprophylaxis or treatment of malaria and in the treatment of toxoplasmosis
Examples of pyrimethamine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Folate supplements can interact with several medications including methotrexate, sulfasalazine, anti-seizure medications, immunosuppressants, NSAIDs, barbiturates, diuretics, and pyrimethamine (an anti-malarial drug).
—
Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024
Perhaps the most infamous example of a clinically effective, decades old generic drug that got transformed into a profit maker due to sky-high price increases is Daraprim (pyrimethamine).
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022
Several years later, Elion and Hitchings developed the anti-malarial agent pyrimethamine, which is now used primarily to treat a potentially fatal foodborne illness called toxoplasmosis.
—Patrick Adams, National Geographic, 31 Aug. 2020
Daraprim, also known as pyrimethamine, is used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs in severe cases, the FDA said.
—Shelby Lin Erdman and Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 29 Feb. 2020
The outlet points out that the retail price for Daraprim (pyrimethamine) is still $750 a pill, up more than 5,000 percent from its previous price of $13.50 per pill.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 4 May 2018
But these alternatives are shut down by the same mutations that make the parasites resistant to pyrimethamine.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 Mar. 2024
Perhaps the most infamous example of a clinically effective, decades old generic drug that got transformed into a profit maker due to sky-high price increases is Daraprim (pyrimethamine).
—Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2022
Several years later, Elion and Hitchings developed the anti-malarial agent pyrimethamine, which is now used primarily to treat a potentially fatal foodborne illness called toxoplasmosis.
—Patrick Adams, National Geographic, 31 Aug. 2020
Daraprim, also known as pyrimethamine, is used to treat toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs in severe cases, the FDA said.
—Shelby Lin Erdman and Jamie Gumbrecht, CNN, 29 Feb. 2020
The outlet points out that the retail price for Daraprim (pyrimethamine) is still $750 a pill, up more than 5,000 percent from its previous price of $13.50 per pill.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 4 May 2018
But these alternatives are shut down by the same mutations that make the parasites resistant to pyrimethamine.
—Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Pyrimethamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pyrimethamine. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pyrimethamine
noun
py·ri·meth·amine
ˌpī-rə-ˈmeth-ə-ˌmēn
: a folic acid antagonist C12H13ClN4 that is used in the treatment of toxoplasmosis and in the prevention and treatment of malaria
Note: Pyrimethamine is marketed under the trademark Daraprim.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share