Introduction / Overview Mebendazole is a benzimidazole derivative widely employed in the management of helminthic infections. Its broad spectrum against nematodes and certain cestodes has rendered it a cornerstone of antiparasitic therapy in both community and clinical settings. The clinical relevance of mebendazole extends beyond simple deworming; it is also utilized in the treatment of…

Introduction Quinine is a naturally occurring alkaloid extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree. It has long been recognized as a cornerstone in antimalarial therapy and possesses ancillary pharmacological properties that extend beyond its primary antimalarial activity. The scope of this monograph encompasses the chemical identity, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics, clinical indications, safety profile,…

Introduction Primaquine is a synthetic 4‑amino‑5‑nitro‑2‑methyl‑1,2,3,4‑tetrahydroquinoline that functions as a potent antimalarial agent. It is uniquely effective against the hypnozoite stages of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, thereby providing radical cure and preventing relapse. The drug was first synthesized in the 1940s by the U.S. Army during the effort to control malaria in military personnel…

Introduction Ritonavir is a synthetic non‑peptidic protease inhibitor originally developed for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‑1) infection. Although its direct antiviral potency is modest compared with other protease inhibitors, it has become indispensable as a pharmacokinetic enhancer that prolongs the plasma exposure of co‑administered agents. Ritonavir’s unique ability to inhibit cytochrome P450 3A4…

Introduction Efavirenz is a non‑nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that has played a pivotal role in combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‑1). Its emergence in the early 1990s introduced a novel class of agents that bind directly to the reverse transcriptase enzyme, inducing a conformational change that prevents…

Introduction Tenofovir is a nucleotide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that has become a cornerstone of antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and a first‑line agent for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The compound was first synthesized in the 1970s but did not gain clinical relevance until the late 1990s, when it…

Introduction Lamivudine (3TC) is a nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that has been widely employed in the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease. The drug’s introduction in the early 1990s marked a pivotal advancement in antiretroviral therapy, owing to its favorable safety profile and oral bioavailability. Over…

Introduction Oseltamivir is a synthetic neuraminidase inhibitor that has become a cornerstone in the management of influenza A and B infections. Originally developed in the 1970s, the drug gained widespread clinical acceptance following the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, which highlighted the need for effective antiviral therapy. Oseltamivir functions by blocking the release of progeny virions from…

Introduction Definition and Overview Griseoful is a systemic antifungal agent belonging to the class of fungicidal macrolide compounds. Its primary therapeutic action is directed against dermatophytes, which are fungi that infect keratinized tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. The drug has been widely employed in the treatment of superficial mycoses, especially tinea capitis, tinea…

Introduction Terbinafine is a synthetic allylamine antifungal agent that has become a cornerstone in the treatment of superficial mycoses. Its high potency against dermatophytes, coupled with a favourable safety profile, renders it a preferred choice in clinical practice. Historically, the discovery of terbinafine in the late 1970s marked a significant advance in antifungal therapy, offering…