QUININE

Brand & Generic Names

Legatrin	Quindan
NovoQuinine	Quiphile
Quin-260	Q-Vel
Quin-amino	Strema
Quinamm

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? High strength: Yes Low strength: No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antiprotozoal

Uses

• Treatment or prevention of malaria.
• Relief of muscle cramps.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.

When to take:
Prevention--At the same time each day, usually at bedtime.
Treatment--At the same times each day in evenly spaced doses.

If you forget a dose:
Prevention--Take as soon as you remember up to 12 hours late. If more than 12 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
Treatment--Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Reduces contractions of skeletal muscles.
Increases blood flow.
Interferes with genes in malaria micro-organisms.

Time lapse before drug works:
May require several days or weeks for maximum effect.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe impairment of vision and hearing; severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; shallow breathing, fast heartbeat; apprehension, confusion, delirium.

WHAT TO DO:

Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Blurred vision or change in vision, eyes sensitive to light.
• Dizziness, headache, abdominal discomfort, mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Ringing or buzzing in ears, impaired hearing.

Infrequent:

Rash, hives, itchy skin, difficult breathing.

Rare:

Sore throat, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual tiredness or weakness, angina.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to quinine or quinidine.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you plan to become pregnant within medication period.
• If you have asthma.
• If you have eye disease, hearing problems or ringing in the ears.
• If you have heart disease.
• If you have myasthenia gravis.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug filters into milk. May harm child. Avoid.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:
May develop headache, blurred vision, nausea, temporary hearing loss, but seldom need to discontinue because of these symptoms.

Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel dizzy or have blurred vision. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
Don't confuse with quinidine, a medicine for heart rhythm problems.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Alkalizers*, urinary	Possible toxic effects of quinine.
Antacids* (with	Decreased quinine effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Dapsone	Increased risk of adverse effect
	on blood cells.
Digitalis	Possible increased digitalis
	effect.
Digoxin	Possible increased digoxin effect.
Mefloquine	Increased risk of heartbeat
	irregularities.
Quinidine	Possible toxic effects of quinine.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	No proven problems.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	No proven problems.
Tobacco:	None expected.