Brand
name : Quinine (Quinamm, Quiphile)
US Brand Names : * Qualaquin * Quinamm * Quiphile
Description
Quinine is used to treat malaria. This medicine usually is given with
one or more other medicines for malaria.
Quinine may also be used for other problems as determined by your
doctor. Do not confuse quinine with quinidine, a different medicine
that is used for heart problems.
Quinine is available with your doctor's prescription or without .
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use,
experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems.
Although these uses are not included in product labeling, quinine is
used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:* Babesiosis
(infection caused by parasites)
This product is available in the following dosage forms:* Capsule *
Tablet * Tablet, Extended Release
Before Using Quinine (Quinamm, Quiphile)
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must
be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and
your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies :Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic
reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health
care
professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods,
dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read
the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric :This medicine has been used to treat malaria in children
and, in effective doses, has not been shown to cause different side
effects or problems
in children than it does in adults.
Geriatric :Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older
people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the
same way
they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or
problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing
use of quinine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Pregnancy :
Pregnancy Category Explanation
All Trimesters X Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive
evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who
are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible
benefit.
Breastfeeding :There are no adequate studies in women for determining
infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh
the potential
benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication
while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions :Using this medicine with any of the following medicines
is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this
medication or change
some of the other medicines you take.
* Astemizole * Aurothioglucose * Ranolazine
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating
food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur.
Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions
to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your
medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this
medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical
problems, especially:
* Blackwater fever, history of, or
* Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency or
* Purpura, or history of (purplish or brownish-red discoloration of skin)—Patients
with a history of blackwater fever, G6PD deficiency, or purpura may have an
increased risk of side effects affecting the blood .* Heart disease—Quinine
can cause side effects affecting the heart, usually at higher doses.* Hypoglycemia—Quinine
may cause low blood sugar
* Myasthenia gravis—Quinine may increase muscle weakness in
patients with myasthenia gravis
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed. Do not take more of it, do not
take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than recommended
on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may
increase the chance of side effects.
Take this medicine with or after meals to lessen possible stomach
upset, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you are to take
this medicine at bedtime, take it with a snack or with a glass of water,
milk, or other beverage.
For patients taking quinine for malaria:
* To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine
for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after
a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms
may return. Do not miss any doses.
Dosing :The dose of this medicine will be different for different
patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following
information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your
dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to
do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the
medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed
between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend
on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.* For treatment
of malaria:
o Adults and teenagers: 600 to 650 mg every eight hours for at least three
days. This medicine must be taken with other medicine to treat malaria.
o Children: Dose must be determined by the doctor.
Missed Dose Quinine (Quinamm, Quiphile) :If you miss a dose of this
medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time
for your next dose, skip the missed dose
and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage : Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature,
away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions
Quinine may cause blurred vision or a change in color vision. Make
sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use
machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not
able to see well. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check
with your doctor.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted
effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they
do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects
occur:
After you stop using this medicine, it may still produce some side
effects that need attention. During this period of time, check with
your doctor immediately if you notice the following side effects:
