What Is Quinine Used to Treat?

Quinine is the generic name for the brand name medication Qualaquin, which is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat malaria. Quinine has not been approved by the FDA to treat leg cramps and should not be taken for that purpose. Malaria is common in South America, Africa and Southern Asia; travelers visiting these countries usually take an anti-malarial drug prior to their visit to prevent contracting the disease.

History

• The history of quinine goes back to the 1640, when it was introduced in Europe. Unfortunately, the bark of the cinchona tree from which quinine is derived was so sought after to obtain quinine for making tonic water that cinchona trees were becoming extinct. In 1944 Robert Woodward and William Doering were successful in filling that gap by creating a synthetic form of quinine.

Function

• Quinine is an anti-malarial drug used in the prevention and treatment of malaria. Malaria is a serious disease caused by parasites that get into the body through the bite of a mosquito. Quinine works by killing the malaria parasite; it is sometimes used in combination with other anti-malarial medicines.

Considerations

• Inform your doctor of all other medications you are taking. Some medications that may react with quinine are metformin and cimetidine and anticoagulants like qarfarin. Quinine can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anti-coagulants. Quinine should not be taken if you are pregnant, breast feeding or planning to get pregnant.

Side Effects

• Side effects of quinine may include an allergic reaction involving difficulty breathing, hives and swelling of the face, lips, throat and tongue. Seek immediate medical attention if you should have any of these symptoms. Other side effects may include a weak pulse, irregular heart rhythm and unusual muscle weakness along with fever, headache and sore throat. Stop taking quinine and seek emergency medical advice if you experience any of these symptoms.

Warning

• According to Drug.com, as of December 2006 the only brand of quinine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is Qualaquin. The FDA banned all non- approved brands of quinine because of serious side effects or death. Quinine should not be purchased on the Internet or from vendors outside of the United States. Do not take Quinine if you have had an allergic reaction in the past to quinine or to similar medications like mefloquine or quinidine.