quinacrine

drug

Also known as: Atabrine, mepacrine

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

Quinacrine is an antimalarial drug derived from acridine. It was first used around 1934 and is chemically related to quinine, a compound found in the bark of the Cinchona tree. While quinine and quinidine (another Cinchona derivative) are used for malaria and heart rhythm disorders, quinacrine's primary historical use was as an antimalarial. Quinoline, a related chemical structure, is a building block for various synthetic drugs, including antimalarials like chloroquine, as well as anesthetics and dyes.1234

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history of medicine
Tropical medicine
…become available, in 1934, was quinacrine (known as mepacrine, Atabrine, or Atebrin). In World War II it amply fulfilled the highest expectations and helped to reduce disease among Allied troops in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. A number of other effective antimalarial drugs subsequently became available.
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…become available, in 1934, was quinacrine (known as mepacrine, Atabrine, or Atebrin). In World War II it amply fulfilled the highest expectations and helped to reduce disease among Allied troops in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. A number of other effective antimalarial drugs subsequently became available.
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anthelmintic
Cestode anthelmintics
Quinacrine, an early synthetic antimalarial later superseded, is often used as an anthelmintic for the treatment of tapeworm infection in dogs, cattle, and other animals.
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Quinacrine, an early synthetic antimalarial later superseded, is often used as an anthelmintic for the treatment of tapeworm infection in dogs, cattle, and other animals.
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