quinine

(KWYE nine)
QM-260

What is the most important information I should know about quinine?

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Quinine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness, drowsiness, or blurred vision, avoid these activities.

What is quinine?

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Quinine is an antimalarial drug. The exact way that quinine works is unknown.

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Quinine is used to prevent and treat malaria.

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Quinine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking quinine?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

have had serious side effects related to previous quinine therapy;

have a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency (an inherited blood disorder);

have optic neuritis (eye nerve problems); or

have an irregular heartbeat.

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You may not be able to take quinine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Do not take quinine if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Quinine is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects, and it can induce premature labor.

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Quinine passes into breast milk in small amounts. Although it is not considered harmful to a nursing baby, do not take quinine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take quinine?

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Take quinine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Take quinine with food or after a meal to lessen stomach upset.

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It is important to take quinine regularly to get the most benefit.

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Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with quinine to monitor progress and side effects.

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Store quinine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

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Symptoms of a quinine overdose include ringing in your ears, dizziness, headache, stomach cramps, vomiting, skin rash, fever, confusion, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking quinine?

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Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medicine before having surgery.

What are the possible side effects of quinine?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking quinine and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

vision problems;

a rash or itching;

fever; or

stomach pain.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take quinine and talk to your doctor if you experience

diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, or vomiting;

ringing in the ears;

slight visual disturbances;

headache;

dizziness or drowsiness; or

restlessness or confusion.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect quinine?

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Before taking quinine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);

antacids that contain aluminum, such as Amphojel, Maalox, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Mylanta, and others;

mefloquine (Lariam);

rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) or rifabutin (Mycobutin);

digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or

warfarin (Coumadin).

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You may not be able to take quinine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with quinine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has more information about quinine written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.