
There was no evidence to indicate a dose relationship between quinine and occurrence of hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia concurred with severity features, disruption of glucose infusion and transfusion. Careful glucose monitoring should be targeted to these complications where resources are limited.
Does quinine cause hypoglycemia in malaria patients?
Originally developed as an antimalarial, quinine has been repeatedly associated with hypoglycemia in patients with Falciparum malariae disease.1,2 Quinine is widely prescribed for the treatment of leg cramps, and often regarded, wrongly, as a safe medication.
Can you buy quinine sulfate for hypoglycemia?
hypoglycemia A common cause is calcium deficiency, which may be rectified (if that is, indeed the problem) by drinking two glasses of milk a day. Traditionally (for 150 years) quinine sulfate was sold over-the-counter to relieve such cramps, but the FDA recently withdrew approval for this use.
What are the side effects of quinine?
Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine. Quinine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Where does quinine come from?
Quinine comes from the bark of the cinchona tree. This tree is native to central and South America, as well as some islands in the Caribbean and western parts of Africa. People have consumed quinine in tonic water to help treat cases of malaria for centuries. In this article, learn about what quinine is and what its side effects ...

How does quinine lower blood sugar?
Diabetes: Quinine causes insulin to be released from the pancreas and may lower blood sugar levels.
Why is dextrose given quinine?
However, for decades, there have been a lot of controversy surrounding the potential hypoglycemic effect of this drug [4], considering that, intravenous quinine was always administered using a glucose solution in order to avoid this possible hypoglycemic effect.
Does tonic water lower blood sugar?
It spikes your blood sugar, which increases the risk of dementia.
What are the side effects of quinine?
AdvertisementBlurred vision.change in color vision.changes in behavior.confusion.diarrhea.hearing loss.ringing in the ears.stomach cramps or pain.
What is the mechanism of action of quinine?
Mechanism of Action: Quinine inhibits nucleic acid synthesis, protein synthesis, and glycolysis in Plasmodium falciparum and can bind with hemazoin in parasitized erythrocytes. However, the precise mechanism of the antimalarial activity of quinine sulfate is not completely understood.
How long do side effects of quinine last?
After stopping this drug, the patient's symptoms resolved within 48 hours and the liver enzyme levels declined within 72 hours.
What happens if you drink too much tonic water?
Even three glasses daily should be OK as long as you are not sensitive to quinine. Some susceptible people develop a dangerous blood disorder after even small doses of quinine. Symptoms of quinine toxicity include digestive upset, headache, ringing in the ears, visual disturbances, skin rash and arrhythmias.
Why does quinine help with leg cramps?
Quinine sulfate at a dose of 200–300 mg at night has been used for many years to treat nocturnal leg cramps. Usually idiopathic, these muscle cramps are common, particularly in older patients. Quinine may help by decreasing the excitability of the motor end-plate and increasing the muscle refractory period.
How much sugar is in tonic water vs Coke?
Twelve ounces of tonic water adds 124 calories and 32 grams of sugar to your glass (that's 8 teaspoons). Compare that to a cola, which isn't too far off at 182 calories and 44 grams of sugar per 12 ounces.
What is the most serious adverse effect of quinine?
Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or a skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills with this medicine. Quinine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
What is the most common side effect of quinine?
Mild headache, flushing, unusual sweating, nausea, ringing in the ears, decreased hearing, dizziness, blurred vision, and temporary changes in color vision may occur.
Can too much quinine hurt you?
Quinine is known to have an extensive side effect profile of tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, confusion, acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia, and most severely disseminated intravascular coagulation [3].
Can quinine be given with dextrose saline?
To calculate the rate of quinine infusion is simple since quinine is to be given in 500 ml of 10% dextrose solution, to be administered over 4 h (i.e., we have to administer 500 ml of 10% dextrose solution with the required dose of quinine over 4 h).
Can dextrose saline be used to treat malaria?
Intra venous: 20 mg of salt/kg in 10 ml/kg isotonic saline or 5% dextrose over 4 hours, then 10 mg of salt/kg in saline or dextrose over 4 hours, every 8 hours until patient is able to take orally or for 5-7 days. Quinidine: The anti-arrhythmic drug related to quinine can also be used in the treatment of severe P.
How do you administer quinine?
Quinine can also be administered via intramuscular injection if intravenous infusions cannot be given: two injections of 10 mg salt/kg quinine dihydrochloride (diluted to 60 mL) should be administered four hours apart. The anterior thigh is preferred over the gluteal region to minimize the risk of sciatic nerve damage.
Which drip is good for malaria?
Per WHO guidelines, three doses of IV artesunate, administered intravenously over 1–2 minutes, at 12-hour intervals (0, 12, and 24 hours) is recommended for treatment of severe malaria.
What is Quinine?
Quinine has active ingredients of cinchona. It is often used in leg pain. eHealthMe is studying from 4,157 Quinine users for its effectiveness, alternative drugs and more.
What is Hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is found to be associated with 2,614 drugs and 2,187 conditions by eHealthMe.
How to use the study?
You can discuss the study with your doctor, to ensure that all drug risks and benefits are fully discussed and understood.
How the study uses the data?
The study uses data from the FDA. It is based on cinchona (the active ingredients of Quinine) and Quinine (the brand name). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. generic drugs) are not considered. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study.
Who is eHealthMe?
With medical big data and proven AI algorithms, eHealthMe provides a platform for everyone to run phase IV clinical trials. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 600+ peer-reviewed medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature.
WARNING, DISCLAIMER, USE FOR PUBLICATION
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
Before Using
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:
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance for unwanted effects.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress after you finish using the medicine. This is to make sure the malaria is cleared up completely. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
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.
What is Quinine used for?
Quinine is used to treat malaria , a disease caused by parasites. Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia. Quinine will not treat severe forms of malaria, and it should not be taken to prevent malaria. Quinine also should not be taken to treat or prevent night-time leg cramps. Using this medication improperly or without the advice of a doctor can result in serious side effects or death. Quinine is approved for use only in treating malaria. Some people have used quinine to treat leg cramps, but this is not an FDA-approved use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of all non-approved brands of quinine. As of December 2006, Qualaquin is the only brand of quinine that is approved by the FDA. Quinine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What are the possible side effects of quinine (Qualaquin)? Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using quinine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: fever , chills, confusion, weakness, sweating; severe vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea ; chest pain , trouble breathing, severe dizziness , fainting , fast or pounding heartbeats; severe flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); weak or shallow breathing, feeling like you might pass out; easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin; fever, sore throat , and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash ; or loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing o Continue reading >>
Why was Qualaquin banned?
In 2006, it banned the sale of all unapproved drugs that contained quinine except the branded drug, Qualaquin, because of the risk of serious side effects or death. Yet in the first six months of 2008, more than 124,000 people in the U.S. received close to 300,000 prescriptions for Qualaquin, according to the FDA.
Can quinine cause kidney problems?
This medicine is not approved for nighttime leg cramps. If you have questions, talk with the doctor. It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor. What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Quinine? If you have an allergy to quinine or any other part of quinine. If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives ; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing ; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs. If you have any of these health problems: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, swelling of a nerve in the eye, heart problems like long QT on ECG or other abnormal heartbeat, or myasthenia gravis . If you have any of these health problems: Liver problems, low magnesium levels, low potassium levels, or slow heartbeat . If you are taking any drugs that can cause a certain type of heartbeat that is not normal (prolonged QT interval). There are many drugs that can do this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with quinine. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins ) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take quinine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor. What are some things I need to know or do while I take Quinine? Tell all of your health care providers that you take Continue reading >>
Why does hypoglycemia happen?
Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) level falls too low. There are several reasons why this can happen; the most common is a side effect of drugs used to treat diabetes.
Why do children have hypoglycemia?
Children can have hypoglycemia if they have too little growth hormone.
What causes insulin to be too much?
Insulin overproduction. A rare tumor of the pancreas (insulinoma) can cause you to produce too much insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia. Other tumors also can result in too much production of insulin-like substances. Enlargement of cells of the pancreas that produce insulin can result in excessive insulin release, causing hypoglycemia.
What happens when you have diabetes?
When this happens, the risk of severe, life-threatening hypoglycemia increases. If you have diabetes, recurring episodes of hypoglycemia and hypoglycemia unawareness, your doctor might modify your treatment, raise your blood sugar level goals and recommend blood glucose awareness training.
What is the name of the condition where blood sugar is lower than normal?
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which your blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than normal. Glucose is your body's main energy source.
What are the symptoms of low blood sugar?
If blood sugar levels become too low, signs and symptoms can include: As hypoglycemia worsens, signs and symptoms can include: Confusion, abnormal behavior or both, such as the inability to complete routine tasks.
What is the recommended blood sugar level for hypoglycemia?
For many people, a fasting blood sugar of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or below should serve as an alert for hypoglycemia. But your numbers might be different.
What are the side effects of quinine?
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking quinine: More common. Blurred vision. change in color vision. changes in behavior. confusion.
Does quinine need immediate medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of quinine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
Does quinine sulfate cause nocturnal leg cramps?
Quinine sulfate use for the treatment or prevention of nocturnal leg cramps may result in serious and life-threatening hematologic reactions, including thrombocytopenia and hemolytic uremic syndrome/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (HUS/TTP). Chronic renal impairment associated with the development of TTP has been reported. The risk associated with quinine sulfate use in the absence of evidence of its effectiveness in the treatment or prevention of nocturnal leg cramps outweighs any potential benefit.
What happens if you take quinine?
if you have taken quinine in the past and it caused a blood cell disorder, severe bleeding, or kidney problems.
What other drugs will affect quinine?
Many drugs can interact with quinine. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with quinine, especially:
What should I avoid while taking quinine?
Avoid taking other anti-malaria medications without your doctor's advice. This includes chloroquine, halofantrine, and mefloquine.
What is the name of the disorder in which you have to take quinine?
a heart rhythm disorder called Long QT syndrome; an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6-PD); myasthenia gravis; optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve); or. if you have taken quinine in the past and it caused a blood cell disorder, severe bleeding, or kidney problems.
What is Quinine used for?
Quinine is used to treat uncomplicated malaria, a disease caused by parasites. Parasites that cause malaria typically enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Malaria is common in areas such as Africa, South America, and Southern Asia.
What is the name of the enzyme deficiency that causes a blood cell disorder?
an enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G-6-PD); myasthenia gravis; optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve); or. if you have taken quinine in the past and it caused a blood cell disorder, severe bleeding, or kidney problems.
How long do you have to stop quinine?
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell your caregivers ahead of time that you are using quinine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of treatment, or if your symptoms return after you have finished the medicine.
