Quinine is FDA-approved for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Hydroquinone products are very popular in Asian and African markets for their skin-lightening properties. As a matter of fact, the FDA prohibits marketing Quinine for leg cramps and requires a warning against using the drug to treat leg cramps. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. “It was refreshing that our doctor prescribed quinine sulfate for my husband’s restless leg syndrome. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of all non-approved brands of quinine because of the risk of serious side effects or death. if you have taken quinine in the past and it caused a blood cell disorder, severe bleeding, or kidney problems. Other hazards include severe headache, visual disturbances, rash, itching, ringing in the ears, nausea, diarrhea and liver damage. Even before the Spanish discovered the New World, native healers in Peru were using the bark of the cinchona tree to treat fever, malaria and indigestion. If a pregnant woman took quinine, her baby could be born with a defect. Avoid taking other anti-malaria medications without your doctor's advice. The FDA proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of hydroquinone-containing products on August 29, 2006. The 2nd countess of Chinchon in Peru c.1742. Self-medication using quinine can be extremely risky, so see your doctor for treatment of conditions where quinine may be prescribed. Tonic water is a soft drink containing quinine, which gives it a bitter taste. This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with quinine. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. Tell your doctor about all your medications and any you start or stop using during treatment with quinine, especially: an antibiotic--azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine, telithromycin, tetracycline; an antidepressant--amitriptyline, citalopram, clomipramine, desipramine, nefazodone, venlafaxine; antifungal medication--itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole; cholesterol-lowering medicine--atorvastatin, simvastatin, lovastatin; cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan; heart medication--amiodarone, digoxin, dofetilide, disopyramide, dronedarone, flecainide, ibutilide, metoprolol, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol, verapamil; hepatitis C medications--boceprevir, telaprevir; HIV/AIDS medication--atazanavir, delavirdine, efavirenz, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir; medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting--dolasetron, droperidol, ondansetron; medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder--chlorpromazine, clozapine, haloperidol, mesoridazine, pimozide, thioridazine, ziprasidone; seizure medication--carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone; stomach acid reducers--cimetidine, ranitidine; or. The FDA has issued warnings about quinine since 1994 and more recently about its minimal effectiveness in treating leg cramps. Last Updated: June 23, 2020 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of all non-approved brands of quinine. severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling. No one in the United States has worried about malaria for decades. Even people who used quinine successfully for years no longer have access to it. Then the FDA decided to crack down. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Quinine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Do not use quinine to treat any condition that has not been checked by your doctor. 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