Mild headache, flushing, unusual sweating, nausea, ringing in the ears, decreased hearing, dizziness, blurred vision, and temporary changes in color vision may occur. If any of these effects last after your treatment is finished, or if these effects get worse while taking the medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Quinine may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially during pregnancy. Symptoms of low blood sugar include sudden sweating, shaking, fast heartbeat, hunger, blurred vision, dizziness, or tingling hands/feet. If symptoms of low blood sugar occur, increase your blood sugar by eating a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink fruit juice or non-diet soda. Tell your doctor right away about the reaction and the use of this product.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: easy bruising/bleeding, unusual purple/brown/red spots on the skin, signs of serious infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away, high fever, severe chills), signs of a sudden loss of red blood cells called hemolytic anemia (such as severe tiredness, brown urine, pale lips/nails/skin, rapid breathing at rest), signs of severe liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, abdominal pain, severe weakness, yellow skin/eyes, unusually dark urine), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, blindness.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), 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.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
FAQs
List of interactions for Quinine
- Amifampridine. Both Quinine and Amifampridine prolong the QT interval. ...
- Amikacin. Both Quinine and Amikacin can increase the risk of ototoxicity.
- Aminophylline. ...
- Amiodarone. ...
- Amisulpride. ...
- Amphotericin B. ...
- Anagrelide. ...
- Apalutamide.
Why is quinine banned? The FDA does not approve or recommend quinine as a treatment for certain health conditions, such as nocturnal leg cramps, due to the risk of adverse health complications, including: heart arrhythmias. acute kidney injury.
What does quinine do to your body? ›
Quinine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If your blood sugar gets too low, you may feel weak, drowsy, confused, anxious, or very hungry. You may also sweat, shake, or have blurred vision, a fast heartbeat, or a headache that will not go away.
Are quinine tablets bad for you? ›
A variety of adverse effects can occur with the usual therapeutic doses of quinine, including cinchonism (marked by tinnitus, high-tone hearing loss, photophobia and other visual disturbances, dysphoria, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, dizziness and postural hypotension), hypoglycemia (from the drug's stimulatory ...
Is quinine hard on your heart? ›
Additionally, quinine is associated with cardiovascular side effects-including QRS, and QT prolongation [7]. Quinine is a class 1 anti-arrhythmic that binds and inhibits cardiac myocyte sodium channels [7].
What are the negatives of quinine? ›
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].
Who should not drink tonic water? ›
In general, quinine in any form should be avoided by pregnant women and people with hepatic failure. Quinine consumed for the treatment of leg cramps should be prescribed and monitored by physicians, and people who consume quinine in commercial beverages must be warned of the health risks.
Is quinine hard on the kidneys? ›
Among the most serious potential side effects associated with quinine are: bleeding problems. kidney damage. abnormal heartbeat.
What is a safe amount of quinine to take daily? ›
Adults and children 16 years of age and older—648 milligrams (mg) (2 capsules) every 8 hours for 7 days. Children younger than 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
What is the best drink to stop leg cramps? ›
But sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte, and coconut water may all help ease leg cramps by replacing electrolytes lost from sweat.
Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in the diet can cause leg cramps. Medicines often prescribed for high blood pressure can cause increased urination, which may drain the body of these minerals.
What is the best vitamin for leg cramps? ›
What vitamins may help with leg cramps? No vitamin is likely to help with a leg cramp 100% of the time. But some experts do recommend that you take a vitamin B12 complex or magnesium for leg cramps.
Does tonic water interact with any drugs? ›
Quinine in tonic water should be avoided if you are taking the following medications because they may interact with each other: Blood thinners. Antidepressants. Antibiotics.
Can you take quinine with acetaminophen? ›
No interactions were found between quinine and Tylenol. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
