Quinine was originally 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 works by attacking the parasites once they have entered the red blood cells. It kills the parasites and prevents them from multiplying further. It is not fully understood how it kills the parasites.
Quinine is also sometimes used to treat recurrent night-time leg cramps, for instance in people with diabetes or varicose veins. It's thought to prevent muscle cramps by reducing the sensitivity of muscle cells to stimuli that cause them to contract, as well as by prolonging the time it takes for the muscle to contract. Quinine tends to reduce the number and severity of leg cramps, but may not stop them completely.
It can take up to four weeks of taking quinine before an improvement in leg cramps is seen.
Using this medication improperly or without the advice of a doctor can result in serious side effects or death.
Quinine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
How should you take Qualaquin (quinine)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.
The recommended dose for Adults (including elderly) is:
Malaria: 600 mg every eight hours for 5-7 days
Night cramps: 200 -300 mg at bedtime.
Swallow with water. Take with food if quinine upsets your stomach. Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may get better before your condition is completely cleared.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it and then take the next dose at the right time.
Store at room temperature; away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Who should not take Qualaquin (quinine)?
Do not take quinine sulfate tablets if you:
• are allergic to quinine (including that in tonic waters or other beverages), quinoline or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• have blood in your urine
• have ringing in your ears
• suffer from muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
• have problems with your eyes or difficulty seeing
• have been told you have a disorder affecting the red blood cells (haemolysis).
What to avoid while taking Qualaquin (quinine)?
Avoid taking other anti-malaria medications without your doctor's advice. This includes chloroquine, halofantrine, and mefloquine.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the type of antacid your doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb quinine.
Quinine may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Qualaquin (quinine)?
Talk to your healthcare provider before taking quinine sulfate tablets if you:
• have irregular heartbeats or other heart disease
• have had malaria for a long time
• suffer from severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), as this can cause episodes of anaemia
• were born with or have any condition that causes an abnormal heart rhythm.
What are the possible side effects of Qualaquin (quinine)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling) or sensitivity to light. Call your doctor at once if you have:
● 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
● diarrhea
● feeling sick
● 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: headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery
● loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Common side effects may include:
● headache, blurred vision, changes in color vision
● sweating or flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling)
● mild dizziness, spinning sensation, ringing in your ears
● upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain
You should not take more than the prescribed dose as a condition called ‘cinchonism’ may occur and can be fatal.
The symptoms of cinchonism include:
● abdominal pain
● diarrhoea
● disturbed vision (blurred vision, changes in colour perception or field of vision, total blindness)
● headache
● feeling or being sick
● ringing in the ears or impaired hearing
● rashes
● loss of consciousness
● fits
● shock due to heart problems
● irregular heartbeats If these occur while taking quinine sulfate tablets, treatment should be stopped and a doctor contacted straight away.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
What other drugs interact with Qualaquin (quinine)?
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
• anticoagulants (to stop your blood from clotting)
• cardiac glycosides (for your heart such as digoxin)
• chloroquine, mefloquine, artemether with lumefantrine,
• primaquine, halofantrine (also to treat malaria)
• cimetidine (to treat stomach ulcers or acid reflux and indigestion)
• amantadine (to treat Parkinson's Disease or some viral infections)
• cyclosporin (to prevent transplant rejection)
• flecainide, quinidine or amiodarone (to treat irregular heartbeats)
• astemizole or terfenadine (for allergic reactions)
• pimozide or thioridazine (to treat some mental disorders)
• moxifloxacin, rifampicin or antifungals (to treat infections)
• medicines to treat diabetes
• suxamethonium (muscle relaxant)
• HIV medicines
• barbiturates, carbamazepine or phenytoin (used in epilepsy)
• medicines which are known to cause disturbances in heart rhythm
• levacetylmethadol (a pain killer)
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect this medication, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention
Where can I get more information about Qualaquin (quinine)?
If you have any questions about buying discount Quinine Sulfate (Qualaquin) or any other prescription products online, you can contact us.
