Details

Quinine is used to treat uncomplicated malaria, a disease caused by parasites. Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Quinine will not treat severe forms of malaria, and it should not be taken to prevent malaria. Quinine can cause serious side effects on your heart, kidneys, or blood cells. You should not take quinine if you have a heart rhythm disorder called Long QT syndrome, a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenise deficiency (G-6-PD), myasthenia gravis, optic neuritis (inflammation of the nerves in your eyes), if you have taken quinine in the past and it caused a blood cell disorder or severe bleeding. To make sure quinine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder low levels of platelets in your blood low potassium levels in your blood (hypokalemia) or liver or kidney disease.

Typical Uses

Quinine is used alone or with other medication to treat malaria caused by mosquito bites in countries where malaria is common. Malaria parasites can enter the body through these mosquito bites, and then live in body tissues such as red blood cells or the liver. This medication is used to kill the malaria parasites living inside red blood cells. In some cases, you may need to take a different medication (such as primaquine) to kill the malaria parasites living in other body tissues. Both drugs may be needed for a complete cure and to prevent the return of infection (relapse). Quinine belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-malarial. It is not used for the prevention of malaria.

Side Effects

Common quinine side effects may include fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with balance chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood problems with vision or hearing pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs severe pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine, little or no urine low blood sugar (more common in pregnant women)-headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Quinine+adenosine- Before getting treatment with adenosine, let your doctor know if you are currently using quinine. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Quinine+bepridil- Using quinine together with bepridil can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Quinine+citalopram- Using citalopram together with quinine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Quinine+iloperidone- Using iloperidone together with quinine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

Mechanism of action

Quinine belongs to a class of medications called antimalarials. It inhibits vital life processes of the malaria causing parasites thereby interfering with the growth of parasites in the red blood cells of the human body.

Pregnancy Category : C