Quinine

Generic Name : Quinine

TradeName : Falciquin, Kunen, Pbquin, Qinarsol-300, QuiningA, Quin-S, Quinsil, Rez-Q, Rubiquin, Uniquin-EC

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Quinine is used to prevent and treat malaria and nighttime leg muscle cramps.

When it is to be taken : Quinine usually is taken three times a day for three days for malaria attacks, twice a day for six weeks to prevent or suppress malaria, and at bedtime for leg cramps. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand.

How it should be taken : Quinine comes in the form of capsules and tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Since quinine is very bitter, do not chew tablets before swallowing them.

Special Instruction :
1. To prevent or suppress malaria effectively, quinine must be taken regularly.
2. To help you remember your doses, take quinine at the same times that you do other regular activities such as brushing your teeth in the morning and eating dinner.
3. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you take only one dose per day at bedtime, omit the missed dose completely. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting. Take quinine with food or milk. If these effects continue, contact your doctor
2. Dizziness, headache, sweating, restlessness, confusion, apprehension. If these effects persist or are severe, contact your doctor.
3. Allergic rection: skin rash, itching, flushing, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, fever, ringing ears, vision problems, and stomach distress. Stop taking the drug and contact your doctor at once.
4. Changes in colour vision, blurred or double vision, blind spots, night blindness, difficulty hearing, ringing ears, faintness, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, sore throat, fast heartbeat, chest pain. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take quinine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially acetazolamide, antacids, anticoagulants, cimetidine, digitoxin, digoxin, and quinidine.
2. Do not take antacids that contain aluminium e.g., aluminium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate without consulitng your doctor.
3. Before you take quinine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, ringing ears, eye problems, or a history of blackwater fever.
4. If you become pregnant while taking quinine, contact your doctor promptly.
5. If you ever had a bad reaction to quinine (or quinidine, a mediction for irregular heartbeat), tell your doctor. Also, avoid tonic water and nonprescription cold preparations that contain quinine.
6. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take quinine.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take your medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
3. If the tablets or capsules darken, throw them away and obtain a new s