Quinine is used in the treatment of malaria (a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Quinine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with food to reduce any stomach discomfort that it may cause. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Quinine is available as a tablet or capsule.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your infection.
Take Quinine at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Quinine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines such as quinidine or mefloquine.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- lower than normal platelet count in the blood
- thrombocytopenic purpura (blood disorder caused by decreased number of platelets leading to excessive bleeding, easy bruising and multiple tiny red or purplish spots on the skin or the insides of the mouth)
- haemoglobinuria (high levels of haemoglobin in urine)
- heart rhythm disorder
- tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- optic neuritis (swelling of a certain nerve in the eyes)
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
as Quinine may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart problems e.g. irregular or abnormal heartbeat, heart block
- imbalance of essential minerals in the body
- G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder where the body lacks a certain enzyme necessary for the proper functioning of red blood cells)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Quinine to a child or the elderly. Children or elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver function, blood sugar levels, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions may also be needed.
In addition to taking this medicine, you must also take preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites. This will help prevent you from being re-infected with malaria. Use an effective insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to reduce exposure. Avoid going out between dusk to dawn. Effective insect repellents should contain at least 20-33% diethyltoluamide (DEET).
The symptoms of malaria are fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and a flu-like illness. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms again, and anytime within 1 year after leaving the area, especially within 3 months of your return from an area known to have malaria.
Quinine may cause any of the following side effects: headache, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and muscle weakness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- fast or abnormal heartbeat, passing out
- headache, dizziness, excessive sweating, flushing, hearing problems, ringing in the ears, changes in the way you see colour, blurred vision
- pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
This medicine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines to treat malaria e.g. halofantrine, mefloquine
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. pimozide, thioridazine
- medicines for cold or allergy e.g. astemizole, terfenadine
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
- medicines for diabetes e.g. metformin
- blood-thinning medicines
- moxifloxacin (certain antibiotic)
- ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, lung infection known as tuberculosis)
- amantadine (medicine for Parkinson's disease [disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking])
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)
- atorvastatin (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Quinine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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