Pyrimethamine

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic derivative of ethyl-pyrimidine with potent antimalarial properties. Pyrimethamine is a competitive inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). DHFR is a key enzyme in the redox cycle for production of tetrahydrofolate, a cofactor that is required for the synthesis of DNA and proteins. This agent is often used in combination with other antimalarials for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - Daraprim - Daraprim - PYRIMETHAMINE