What is "proguanil"

n. A prophylactic antimalarial drug effective against sporozoites.

Proguanil (also known as chlorguanide and chloroguanide) is a prophylactic antimalarial drug. When taken, it is converted to the active metabolite cycloguanil. Proguanil is effective against sporozoites. Proguanil hydrochloride is marketed as Paludrine by AstraZeneca.

It has been used for malarial prophylaxis in children with sickle-cell disease living in malaria-endemic areas for many years.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system.