Quinine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Quinine?

What is Quinine for?

Quinine is a drug used alone or with other drugs to treat malaria caused by mosquito bites in countries where malaria is common. Malaria parasites can enter the body through mosquito bites, and live in body tissues such as red blood cells or liver. This drug is used to kill the malaria parasite that lives on red blood cells. In some cases, you may have to take other drugs (such as primaquine) to kill the malaria parasite that lives in other body tissues. Both of these drugs are needed for complete healing and prevent the return of infection (relapse). Quinine belongs to a class of drugs called antimalarials. It is not used to prevent malaria.

The government has travel guides and recommendations for the prevention and treatment of malaria in various parts of the world. Discuss the latest information about the disease with your doctor before traveling to a place where malaria is endemic.

How to use Quinine?

Read the drug's guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by the pharmacy, if available, before you get this medication and each time you buy again. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth, with food to prevent stomach upset, as prescribed by your doctor. This medicine is usually taken every 8 hours for 3-7 days or as directed by your doctor.

Take this medication 2-3 hours before or after taking antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium. These products bind to quinine, preventing the body from completely absorbing the drug.

The dosage and length of treatment will depend on your medical condition, the country in which you are infected, the other malaria drugs you are taking, and your response to treatment.

Dosage for children is based on body weight.

It is very important to continue taking this medication (and other malaria drugs) as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than is prescribed. Don't skip doses. Continue this medication until it wears off, even if symptoms have disappeared within a few days. Skipping doses or stopping your medication too quickly can actually make the infection difficult to treat and will come back again.

This drug works best when the amount in the body is at a constant level. So, take this drug for the same length of time. So you don't forget, drink it at the same time every day.

Tell your doctor if you don't feel better after 1-2 days of treatment. If the fever returns after the prescription runs out, call your doctor so he can determine if your malaria has returned.

How is Quinine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Quinine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Quinine for adults?

Adult Dose for Malaria

Treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria: 648 mg orally every 8 hours for 7 days

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines:

542 mg base (650 mg sulfate salt) orally 3 times a day for 3 - 7 days

What is the dosage of Quinine for children?

Children's Dose for Malaria

Treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria:

16 years and over: 648 mg orall every 8 hours for 7 days

According to the CDC guidelines:

8.3 mg base / kg (10 mg sulfate salt / kg) orally 3 times a day for 3 - 7 days; the dosage of children should not exceed the adult dose.

Less than 8 years:

-Treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to chloroquine-resistant (or other resistant) P falciparum (or unidentified species) infection should be combined with clindamycin.

-Treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to infection with chloroquine-resistant P vivax should be combined with primaquine phosphate.

8 years and over:

-Treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to chloroquine-resistant (or other resistant) P falciparum (or unidentified species) infection should be combined with one of these drugs: doxycycline, tetracycline, or clindamycin.

-Treatment of uncomplicated malaria due to chloroquine-resistant P vivax infection should be combined with doxycycline or tetracycline plus primaquine phosphate.

In what dosage is Quinine available?

Capsules: 324 mg

Quinine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Quinine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using quinine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms of serious side effects:

fever, goosebumps, confusion, weakness, sweating;
severe vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
problems with vision or hearing;
chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting, fast and fast heartbeat;
hot and flushed face and a slight tingling sensation;
urinating infrequently or not at all;
weak or shallow breathing, feels like passing out;
easy bruising, unusual bleeding (from the nose, mouth, vagina, or anus), purple or red spots under the skin;
blood in the urine or stool;
fever, sore throat, and headache as well as a skin rash that blisters, peels, and itches; or
loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-like stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Less serious side effects include:

headache, blurred vision, change in seeing color;
lightheadedness, head spinning, ears buzzing;
stomach ache; or
weak muscles.

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Quinine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Quinine?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

There has not been sufficient research done to look at the relationship between the effectiveness of this drug in children younger than 16 years. Its safety and effectiveness have not been determined.

Elderly

The studies conducted to date have not shown any problems specific to the elderly that could hinder the effectiveness of rosuvastatin in elderly patients.

Is Quinine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = No risk,
B = not at risk in several studies,
C = May be risky,
D = There is positive evidence of risk,
X = Contraindicated,
N = Unknown

Quinine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Quinine?

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

Amifampridine
Astemizole
Aurothioglucose
Cisapride
Dronedarone
Fluconazole
Ketoconazole
Mesoridazine
Nelfinavir
Pimozide
Piperaquine
Posaconazole
Sparfloxacin
Thioridazine

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

Alfuzosin
Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
Aluminum Hydroxide
Aluminum Phosphate
Amiodarone
Amitriptyline
Amoxapine
Anagrelide
Apomorphine
Aripiprazole
Arsenic Trioxide
Artemether
Asenapine
Azithromycin
Buserelin
Carbamazepine
Ceritinib
Chloroquine
Chlorpromazine
Ciprofloxacin
Citalopram
Clarithromycin
Clomipramine
Clozapine
Cobicistat
Crizotinib
Dabrafenib
Dasatinib
Delamanid
Desipramine
Deslorelin
Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
Disopyramide
Dolasetron
Domperidone
Droperidol
Erythromycin
Escitalopram
Eslicarbazepine Acetate
Fingolimod
Fluoxetine
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Gonadorelin
Goserelin
Granisetron
Halofantrine
Haloperidol
Histrelin
Ibutilide
Idelalisib
Iloperidone
Imipramine
Ivabradine
Lacosamide
Lapatinib
Leuprolide
Levofloxacin
Lumefantrine
Magaldrate
Magnesium Carbonate
Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium Trisilicate
Mefloquine
Methadone
Metronidazole
Mifepristone
Mitotane
Moxifloxacin
Nafarelin
Nevirapine
Nilotinib
Norfloxacin
Nortriptyline
Octreotide
Ofloxacin
Ondansetron
Paliperidone
Pancuronium
Pazopanib
Perflutren Lipid Microsphere
Primidone
Procainamide
Prochlorperazine
Promethazine
Propafenone
Protriptyline
Quetiapine
Quinidine
Ranolazine
Rifampin
Ritonavir
Salmeterol
Sevoflurane
Siltuximab
Sodium Phosphate
Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
Solifenacin
Sorafenib
Sotalol
Succinylcholine
Sunitinib
Telavancin
Telithromycin
Terfenadine
Tetrabenazine
Tizanidine
Toremifene
Trazodone
Trifluoperazine
Trimipramine
Triptorelin
Troleandomycin
Tubocurarine
Vandetanib
Vardenafil
Vemurafenib
Vilanterol
Vinflunine
Voriconazole
Ziprasidone

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

Atorvastatin
Cyclosporine
Digoxin
Fosphenytoin
Phenobarbital
Phenytoin
Rifapentine
Tetracycline

Can food or alcohol interact with Quinine?

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with Quinine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

Atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (abnormal heart rhythm) or
Bradycardia (slow heart rate) or
Heart disease (eg myocardial ischemia) or
Untreated hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood), or
Sick sinus syndrome (a type of abnormal heart rhythm) —Use with caution. May worsen side effects.
Blackwater fever (blood disorder) or
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (serious kidney disorder) or
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (a serious blood disorder) or
Thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets) or
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (serious blood disorder) —Do not use in patients who have serious side effects from quinine.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency (blood disorder) or
Heart rhythm problems (eg QT interval) or
Severe liver disease
Myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness) or
Optic neuritis (swelling of the nerves in the eye) —Do not use in patients with this condition
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) —Use with caution. May worsen the condition.
Severe kidney disease
Mild to moderate liver disease — Use with caution. Side effects can increase because the drug is released from the body more slowly

Quinine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms can include?

blurred vision or changes in seeing colors
low blood sugar symptoms
changes in heart rate
headache
nausea
gag
stomach ache
diarrhea
ears buzzing or difficulty hearing
convulsions
difficulty breathing or breathing becomes slow.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.