Before taking Quinine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to quinidine or mefloquine; or if you have any other allergies.
Quinine should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: previous serious side effects with Quinine (e.g., blood problems), certain heart problems (congenital or acquired long QT syndromes, torsade de pointes), very low blood potassium, a certain enzyme problem (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency-G6PD), a certain nerve/muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), a certain eye nerve problem (optic neuritis).
Before using Quinine, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation/flutter), kidney problems, severe liver problems, family history of favism/G6PD deficiency.
Quinine may make you dizzy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Quinine.
Caution is advised when using Quinine in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially dizziness, irregular heartbeat, and low blood sugar.
Quinine must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Quinine passes into breast milk. Quinine is considered safe in breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed if your infant has G6PD deficiency.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature between 77-86 degrees F (25-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Quinine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Quinine by mouth with or without food exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Quinine is usually taken every 8 hours for 7 days or as directed by your doctor. If you have stomach upset with Quinine, take it with food.
Dosage of Quinine is based on your kidney function, medical condition, and response to therapy.
It is very important to continue taking Quinine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Quinine works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, take Quinine at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.
Do not take more or less of Quinine than prescribed. Do not stop taking it before completing this prescription unless directed to do so by your doctor, even if you feel better. Skipping or changing your dose without approval from your doctor may cause the amount of parasite to increase, make the infection more difficult to treat (resistant), or worsen side effects.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens after 1-2 days of taking Quinine. If your fever returns after completing this prescription, contact your doctor so that he/she can determine whether the malaria has returned.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also Overdose section.
Headache, flushing, unusual sweating, nausea, ringing in the ears, decreased hearing, dizziness, blurred vision, and temporary changes in color vision may occur. Less common side effects may include signs of low blood sugar (e.g., sweating, shakiness, confusion, extreme hunger). If you experience these symptoms, promptly drink some fruit juice or have a snack, and call your doctor immediately. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Quinine because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Quinine may experience these side effects, but with frequent visits to your doctor, this risk can be reduced.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of a serious immune system problem (e.g., unusual tiredness, joint/muscle aches, unusual fever, butterfly-shaped facial rash, swollen glands), easy bruising/bleeding, signs of serious infection (e.g., high fever, severe chills, persistent sore throat), signs of a sudden loss of red blood cells called hemolytic anemia (e.g., severe tiredness, brown urine, pale lips/nails/skin, rapid breathing at rest), signs of severe liver problems (e.g., persistent nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, severe weakness, yellow skin/eyes, unusually dark urine), decrease in the amount of urine.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat.
A very serious allergic reaction to Quinine is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Quinine side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Quinine, take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 4 hours of the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Quinine should generally not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: disopyramide, amiodarone, quinidine, procainamide, flecainide, propafenone, sotalol, ibutilide, droperidol, bepridil, ziprasidone, dofetilide, cisapride, arbutamine, pimozide, astemizole, halofantrine, mefloquine, penicillamine.
These drugs, among others, may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG). QTc prolongation can infrequently result in a serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may reduce the risk of this effect.
Medications that increase or decrease Quinine blood levels should also usually be avoided (e.g., erythromycin, troleandomycin, rifampin).
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Quinine.
Antacids containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxide should be taken more than 2 hours before or after a Quinine dose.
Before using Quinine, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: digoxin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, warfarin, desipramine.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.