noun
- A synthetic antimalarial drug (quinacrine hydrochloride) used especially during World War II to prevent and treat malaria.
Usage: historical; medical; also called quinacrine
Examples
- Soldiers in the Pacific theater were given atabrine tablets to prevent malaria.
- Atabrine was the primary antimalarial medication available before chloroquine became widespread.
- The drug atabrine had a bitter taste that made it unpopular with troops.
- During World War II, atabrine saved countless lives in tropical combat zones.