QUININE SULFATE

Posology For the treatment of falciparum (malignant tertian) malaria Adults (including elderly) and Children aged 12 years and above: 600mg quinine sulphate every 8 hours for 7 days. The dose may depend upon the size of the patient, severity of infection, and evidence of renal or liver disease (when the intervals should be increased), due to a prolonged half-life of the drug.

If quinine resistance is known or suspected on completion of the course additional treatment may be given. This may be one of the following: 1. doxycycline 200mg daily (as a single dose or in 2 divided doses) for at least 7 days. 2. clindamycin 300mg four times daily for 5 days.

Children aged 10-12 years: 10mg/kg bodyweight every 8 hours for 7 days.

Children under 10 years:

Not recommended. For the treatment and prevention of nocturnal leg cramps Adults (including elderly): The recommended dose is 200mg at bedtime. The maximum –dose is 300mg. A reduction in frequency of leg cramps may take up to 4 weeks to become apparent.

Patients should be monitored closely during the early stages of treatment for adverse effects. After an initial trial of 4 weeks, treatment should be stopped if there is no benefit. Treatment should be interrupted at approximately three monthly intervals to assess the need for continuation of treatment with quinine.

Method of Administration For oral administration.

Cinochonism Administration of quinine may give rise to cinchonism, which is generally more severe in overdose, but may also occur in normal therapeutic doses. Patients should be warned not to exceed the prescribed dose, because of the possibility of serious, irreversible side effects in overdose.

Treatment for night cramps should be stopped if symptoms of cinchonism emerge. 9) Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity to quinine may also occur with symptoms of cinchonism together with urticaria, flushing, pruritus, rash, fever, angioedema, dyspnoea and asthma.

Serious hypersensitivity reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported with quinine. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) Deficiency • Quinine has been implicated in precipitating blackwater fever when given for prolonged periods, although in some cases, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency may be at increased risk of haemolysis during quinine therapy and may develop acute haemolytic anaemia.

6). • Treatment with quinine should be monitored in case signs of resistance develop. 8), should be carefully considered relative to the potential benefits. These risks are likely to be of particular concern in the elderly. Quinine should only be considered when cramps are very painful or frequent, when other treatable causes of cramp have been ruled out, and when non-pharmacological measures have not worked.

6). • Quinine may cause unpredictable serious and life-threatening thrombocytopenia, which is thought to be an idiosyncratic hypersensitivity reaction. Quinine should not be prescribed or administered to patients who have previously experienced any adverse reaction to quinine, including that in tonic water or other beverages.

Patients should be instructed to stop treatment and consult a physician if signs of thrombocytopenia such as unexplained bruising or bleeding occur. • Reduce the dosage (or increase intervals between doses) in renal or hepatic disease.

1. • Haemolysis or Haemoglobinuria • Optic neuritis • Tinnitus • Myasthenia gravis, quinine may cause severe respiratory distress and dysphagia in these patients. • As quinine has been implicated in precipitating blackwater fever, it is generally contraindicated in patients who have already suffered an attack.