Bulaquine is a derivative of primaquine that was introduced in India in combination with
chloroquine as a treatment against malaria. The compound is prepared by condensation
of primaquine with 3-acetyl-y-butyrolactone in presence of a catalytic amount of base.
Bulaquine kills the latent tissue stage (hypnozoites) of the parasite Plasmodium vivax
accumulated in the liver and responsible for relapses. Its efficient anti-relapse activity was
demonstrated against sporozoite induced Plasmodium cynomolgi infection in rhesus
monkey. Bulaquine is safer than primaquine, the preceding candidate against malaria
relapse. Although it is stable at pH 7-8, bulaquine is hydrolyzed to primaquine under acidic
conditions.
