Quinine

Quinine is used to treat malaria and it is also used for other purposes. Before taking the medication, you should discuss with your doctor if you have got serious side effects before quinine therapy. If you have a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, have optic neuritis, or have irregular heartbeat, you cannot take the medication or you require special monitoring during the treatment.

The medication belongs to FDA category X which means it can cause birth defects and it can induce premature labor. During pregnancy, the medication should be avoided. The medication passes into breast milk in a small amount which is not considered harmful to a nursing baby, but it is better to discuss with your doctor before taking the medication.

You should take medication according to the prescription of your doctor and if you can’t understand the full instructions then ask your pharmacist. Take the medication with one full glass of water. It is better to take the medication with meal or after the meal to avoid stomach upset. For better effects, quinine should be taken regularly and it is also possible that your doctor ask for blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with quinine in order to monitor progress and side effects. Place the medication at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.



If you miss a dose then take the medication as soon as you get remembered and if it is almost the time of next scheduled dose, then skip the missed dose and follow your regular schedule of doses. Don’t try to take double dose of the medication at the same time. If you experience overdose then you should get medical help. The symptoms of overdose include ringing in your ears, dizziness, headache, stomach cramps, vomiting, skin rash, fever, confusion and seizures.

If you experience the following side effects then stop to take the medication and have medical help. The severe side effects include difficulty in breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, vision problems, rash or itching, fever, and stomach pain. You can also experience some less severe side effects, but you should continue the treatment. It include diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, ringing in the ears, slight visual disturbances, headache, dizziness or drowsiness, restlessness or confusion.

Quinine can interact with other drugs like cimetidine, antacids that contain aluminum, mefloquine, rifampin or rifabutin, digoxin, warfarin. Quinine is available under the brand name QM-260 in shape of tablets and capsules, and for more information about quinine, you can ask your pharmacist.

Quinine sulphate is used for the treatment of malaria and cramp in the legs at night. The side effects of taking the medication include rash, nausea, low blood glucose level, severe swelling of lips, face or tongue, sensation of ringing, flushing, kidney failure, headache, abdominal pain, confusion, blood disorders, visual disturbances, and abnormal heart rhythms. If the side effects become intensified then consult your doctor. There are certain drugs which can interact with quinine. If they are used with quinine then there is a risk of irregular heartbeat. These drugs include amiodarone, terfenadine, pimozide, cisapride etc.