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Quinine

  • Your doctor may check your blood-sugar while you are on this medication.
  • Quinine is present in drinks such as tonic water and bitter lemon- try to avoid these while taking quinine.
  • Seek medical attention immediately if you take too many tablets.
  • If you notice bleeding in the skin, tiny red dots in the skin on the lower legs, small scattered bruises, bleeding gums, blood in the stool or urine, or unusually heavy periods (women) contact your doctor immediately.

About quinine

Type of medicine Antimalarial
Used for Treatment of malaria
Treatment of night-time leg cramps
Also called Quinine bisulphate
Quinine dihydrochloride
Quinine hydrochloride
Quinine sulphate
Available as Tablets
Injection

Malaria is caused by a parasite which can enter your body when you are bitten by a mosquito. Quinine works by stopping the parasite from reproducing.
It is not known how quinine helps the pain from leg cramps.

Before taking quinine

Before taking quinine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from myasthenia gravis.
  • If you have any problems with your eyes, or with hearing.
  • If you have heart problems.
  • If you have a history of asthma.
  • If you suffer from kidney problems.

How to take quinine

Malaria:

  • If in tablet form, follow your doctors instructions carefully.
  • If as injection, this will be given in hospital.

Leg cramps:

  • Usually taken at bedtime for up to 3 months at a time.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Your doctor may check your blood-sugar while you are on this medication.
  • Quinine is present in drinks such as tonic water and bitter lemon- try to avoid these while taking quinine.
  • Seek medical attention immediately if you take too many tablets.

Can quinine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Nausea Eat little and often.
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer.
Hot and flushed skin Wear cool clothing and sit in a well ventilated room.
Disturbance in vision Make sure your eyesight is normal before driving or operating machinery.

If you develop an unexplained sore throat or bruising, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Very rarely, patients can develop a low platelet count, sometimes accompanied by the destruction of red blood cells and kidneys failure. If you notice bleeding in the skin, tiny red dots in the skin on the lower legs, small scattered bruises, bleeding gums, blood in the stool or urine, or unusually heavy periods (women) contact your doctor immediately.

How to store quinine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3241		 DocRef:
dils2116		 Last Updated:
22 Mar 2007		 Date of Next Review:
21 Mar 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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