ABSTRACT
Halofantrine is an arylaminoalcohol anti-malarial drug that was first identified as a potential anti-malarial agent by the World War II Chemotherapy program and subsequently developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (Schuster and Canfield, 1989). It was first marketed in 1984 as Halfan by Smith Kline and French. The chemical structure of halofantrine is [R,S]-1,3-dichloro-α-[2-{dibutylamino} ethyl]-6-fluoromethyl 1-9-phenanthrenemethanol hydrochloride, its molecular formula is C26H30O2F3NO, and its molecular weight is 500.4 g/mol. Halofantrine is a racemate with two enantiomers, forming a molecular structure similar to that of the other class II schizonticidal drugs (quinine, mefloquine, and lumefantrine). The chemical structure is shown in Figure 179.1. The drug was marketed for use as a treatment for acute malaria until it was recognized that its variable pharmacokinetic profile, particularly its pronounced food effect, resulted in some individuals developing a life-threatening prolongation of the QT interval, leading to torsades de pointes and sudden cardiac death. As a consequence, the drug was withdrawn from the market. Halofantrine was available for oral administration in tablet form (250 mg), capsules, and flavored suspension, and in an intravenous preparation. Chemical structure of halofantrine. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315152110/08d8042d-9481-4a8d-8c27-9bd589f6de6b/content/fig179_1.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
