Chlorguanide

/klɔːrˈɡwænɪd/ noun

Definition

A antimalarial drug from the early-to-mid 20th century, related to proguanil, used to prevent and treat malaria.

Etymology

From chlor- (chlorine atom in molecule) + guanide (a chemical group). Synthesized in the 1940s as part of systematic efforts to develop malaria drugs during World War II.

Kelly Says

Chlorguanide was developed during WWII when malaria was killing more soldiers than combat—chemists synthesized hundreds of compounds looking for antimalarial drugs, and this one worked well enough to save thousands of lives.

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