Quinine sulphate Pharmacology

Quinine sulphate

About Quinine sulphate
A cinchona alkaloid, Aryl amino alcohol derivative, Antimalarial ,antipyretic,analgesic, anti-inflammatory.
Mechanism of Action of Quinine sulphate
Malarial parasites digest their own haemoglobin and release highly toxic heme. This heme is used up by parasitic polymerase enzyme and converted to non toxic haemozoin.Since Quinine is a weak base it has high affinity towards acidic lysosome.Quinine inhibits polymerase enzyme and interfere the formation of haemozoin and results in accumulation of toxic haeme and also it binds with haeme to form haeme- Quinine complex. These lead to membrane lysis and kill the parasite. It also inhibits protein synthesis.
Quinine has direct action on muscle fibres. This increases the refractory period of skeletal muscle and the distribution of calcium within the muscle fiber, thereby diminishing the response to tetanic stimulation. It also decreases the excitability of the motor end-plate region, reducing the responses to repetitive nerve stimulation and to acetylcholine.

Pharmacokinets of Quinine sulphate
Absorption: It is well absorbed after oral administration. Distribution: It is widely distributed in the body in plasma protein bound form. Metabolism: It undergoes metabolism in the liver. Excretion: Excreted mainly through urine and also through breast milk, saliva, bile and faeces.
Onset of Action for Quinine sulphate
1 - 2 days
Duration of Action for Quinine sulphate
1 day
Half Life of Quinine sulphate
10 hours
Side Effects of Quinine sulphate
1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Anorexia
4. Abdominal cramps
5. Headache
6. Blurred vision
7. Tinnitus
8. Thrombocytopenia
9. Agranulocytosis
10.Rash
11.Ototoxicity
Contra-indications of Quinine sulphate
1. Hypersensitivity to Quinine
2. G-6- PD deficiency
3. Optic neuritis
Special Precautions while taking Quinine sulphate
1. Hepatic dysfunction
2. Renal impairment
3. Arrhythmia
4. Atrial fibrillation
5. Myasthenia gravis
6. Optic neuritis
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Quinine sulphate
1. Malaria
2. Nocturnal muscle cramps
3. Babesia microti infections
Interactions for Quinine sulphate
Antacids: Aluminium containing antacids decrease absorption of quinine.
Anticoagulants: May enhance the action of warfarin and other oral anticoagulants enhanced.
Digoxin: Increased serum concentrations of digoxin.
Mefloquine: Avoid concurrent use since ECG abnormalities or cardiac arrest may occur. Risk of convulsions also increased. Give mefloquine at least 12 hours after the last dose of quinine sulphate.
Neuromuscular blocking agents: Neuromuscular blockade enhanced resulting in respiratory problems.
Urinary alkalinizers (e.g. Acetazolamide and Sodium bicarbonate): Increased quinine blood levels leading to toxicity.
Lab tests: Elevated values of urinary 17- ketogenic steroids may occur with the Zimmerman method.
Typical Dosage for Quinine sulphate
Adult: Malaria: 650mg 8 hours in a day for 5- 7 days
Nocturnal muscle cramps: 200 - 300 mg at bed time
Babesia microti infections: 650 mg 3 - 4 times daily for 1 week
Children: Malaria: 25 mg / kg body weight / day in 8 hours for 5 - 7 days
Babesia microti infections: 25 mg / kg body weight / day in 8 hours for 1 week
Schedule of Quinine sulphate
H
Storage Requirements for Quinine sulphate
The drug should be stored in cool dark place. Protect away from sun light. Keep out of the reach of children.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Quinine sulphate
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Quinine sulphate
Gastric lavage has to be done followed by supportive measures and treatment

Home Delivery for Quinine sulphate in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including quinine sulphate.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for quinine sulphate and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for quinine sulphate may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take quinine sulphate only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for quinine sulphate before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for quinine sulphate with the pharmacy.

Quinine sulphate is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for quinine sulphate might be better known than quinine sulphate itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have quinine sulphate in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for quinine sulphate.