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Quinine, or quinine sulfate, is an antimalarial drug that kills the parasite that causes malaria symptoms. Quinine does not prevent malaria and should be taken with caution because it has severe side effects.
Identification
Quinine is made from the bark of the Peruvian cinchona tree and has been used as an antimalarial since the 17th century. Side effects of quinine can affect the gastrointestinal system, heart and respiratory system.
Qualaquin
Qualaquin, a newer type of quinine, was approved by the FDA in 2006 to treat uncomplicated malaria.
Respiratory Side Effects
Reactions to Qualaquin can include severe allergic reaction, bronchospasm and pulmonary distress. Respiratory side effects include asthma-like symptoms, coughing and spitting of blood from the lungs or bronchial tubes, and pulmonary distress in both lungs.
Pulmonary Distress
Symptoms of pulmonary distress from quinine can include shortness of breath, pleuritic chest discomfort, coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, a dry, non-productive cough and orthopnea, which is difficulty breathing while lying down.
Cinchonism and Pulmonary Edema
Cinchonism, or reaction to cinchona bark, can occur when a patient receives an overdose of quinine or cinchona bark. It is typically mild, but in rare cases can cause pulmonary distress and lead to pulmonary edema.
Off-Label Use
The FDA banned quinine in 1994 as a treatment for nighttime leg cramps and cautioned consumers about off-label use of quinine to treat leg cramps.
Source:
Drugs.com: Side Effects of Quinine
Nlm.nih.gov: Medline Plus: Quinine Information
Quinine.com: FDA Approval of Qualaquin
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