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.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Quinine belongs to a group of drugs called the antimalarials. It is used to treat an established malarial infection. Malaria is caused by an organism which classed as a protozoa and is a parasite which is carried by mosquitoes. During a bite from a mosquito, the parasite passes into the body. Once inside, it lives and reproduces. This results in the infection known as malaria. In the blood, malaria parasites break down a part of the red blood cells known as haemoglobin. When this happens haemoglobin is divided into two parts; haem and globin. Haem is toxic to the malaria parasite. To prevent it from being damaged, the malaria parasite produces an chemical which converts the toxic haem into a non-toxic compound. Quinine binds to the genetic material of the parasite. DNA is responsible for copying the genetic material which is vital for the replication of the parasite. When quinine binds to DNA this copying process is prevented. This inhibits the reproduction of the parasite and therefore controls the infection allowing the person to recover. Quinine is usually used in the treatment of a type of malaria known as falciparum malaria. It is also used to treat malaria where the type of infecting organism is unknown. It is not suitable for the prevention of malaria. It is also used to treat muscle cramps that occur at night. It has this effect by delaying the time it takes for the muscle to contract, thereby relieving the muscle spasms. The oral sulphate form of quinine is used for both the treatment of malaria and night cramps whilst the intravenous dihydrochloride form is only used for the treatment of malaria.

Treatments

* Cramp in the legs at night * Treatment of malaria

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Rash * Nausea * Low blood glucose level * Severe swelling of lips, face or tongue * Sensation of ringing, or other noise in the ears * Flushing * Kidney failure * Headache * Abdominal pain * Confusion * Blood disorders * Visual disturbances * Abnormal heart rhythms