Quinine

Please note: these are basic guidelines, refer to your doctor for a professional medical opinion.

Popular brand names:

Aspen Quinine sulphate

Drug group:

Antimalarial drug and muscle relaxant

Prescription needed?

Yes

What does it do?

Quinine is used in the treatment of:

• Malaria: the earliest antimalarial drug available, still used for treatment of malaria that is resistant to safer and better tolerated drugs like chloroquine
• Night-time leg cramps - limited effectiveness

Quinine is NOT used for malaria prophylaxis (prevention)

What is the typical dosage?

Your doctor will recommend a dosage tailored to your need, but typically:

• Malaria (treatment only): total daily dose 8g, taken every 8 hours
• Muscle cramps: 200–300mg daily, taken at bedtime

How quickly will it start to work?

Malaria 1–2 days; cramps up to 4 weeks   
                               

How long will the effects last?

Up to 24 hours           
            

When should I stop using it?

For malaria, complete the full course as prescribed. For muscle cramps, can be stopped as soon as no longer needed.       

Is it safe for prolonged use?

Risk of blood disorders, regular blood tests may be needed.

When used for night cramps, treatment should be reviewed after 4 weeks and stopped if there is no improvement. If treatment is continued, review every 3 months.

What are the possible side effects?

The following have been reported:

• More common (usually with higher doses): headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, ringing in the ears, ‘giddiness’
• Report to your doctor before taking your next dose if you experience: rash, itching, hearing loss, blurred vision, unusual bruising, excessive bleeding

 What other considerations are important?

Dosage may be adjusted by your doctor under certain conditions.

• Certain health problems: heart problems (especially rhythm disturbances), kidney problems, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), optic neuritis, myasthenia gravis, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, diabetes
• Other medicines: digoxin, cimetidine
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not prescribed in pregnancy (may cause foetal defects). The drug passes into breast milk, but adverse effects on baby unlikely at normal doses.
• Children: Reduced dose necessary
• Over 60: No special problems
• Driving and hazardous work: Caution, the drug’s side effects may distract you
• Alcohol: No known problems