Product Name:    MEFLOQUINE

Synonyms:    MEFLOQUINE;MEFLOQUINE INTERMEDIATE;rel-[2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)quinolin-4-yl]-[(2R)-piperidin-2-yl]methanol;Mefloquin;Metloquine;(11R,2'S)-Mefloquine;(R)-α-[(2S)-2-Piperidyl]-2,8-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4-quinolinemethanol;(11S,2'R)-Mefloquine

CAS:    53230-10-7

MF:    C17H16F6N2O

MW:    378.32

Product Categories:    Chiral Reagents;Heterocycles;Heterocyclic Building Blocks;Intermediates & Fine Chemicals;Isotope Labelled Compounds;Pharmaceuticals

Mefloquine, which was synthesized with the intent of blocking the site of metabolism in quinine with the chemically stable CF3 group, exists as four optical isomers of nearly equal activity. The drug is active against chloroquine-resistant strains of plasmodium, yet cross-resistance is not uncommon. Metabolism is cited as the possible mechanism of resistance. Mefloquine is slowly metabolized through CYP3A4 oxidation to its major inactive metabolite, carboxymefloquine. Most of the parent drug is excreted unchanged into the urine. Its coadministration with CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) has increased the area under the curve for mefloquine by inhibiting its metabolism to carboxymefloquine.