Quinin (quinine sulfate) is predominantly used to treat malaria. It is not typically used to prevent a patient from developing malaria. Though sometimes used off-label to treat other conditions, it is not the preferred treatment in these cases due to risk of serious side effects.

In treating malaria Quinin is quite effective, though malaria is a very serious condition and some patients will become severely ill before recovering. Note that treatment with Quinin---or any antimalarial medication---does not completely eliminate the risk of death from malaria or its complications. Malaria prevention is a much safer course of action than treating the condition once acquired.

Anyone traveling to a region where malaria may be contracted---sub-Sahara Africa, parts of Southern Asia, parts of South America, anywhere tropical---will want to take full advantage of mosquito nets, insect repellents, protective clothing, and so forth. Preventive medications are also advisable; there are a number of antimalarials which, taken prior to arriving in a malaria zone, for the duration of the stay, and for a while after leaving the malaria zone, help prevent a patient from developing malaria, such as Malarone, Lariam, or Plaquenil.

Malaria Basics

Malaria is a parasite, typically transmitted by the bite of a mosquito, but it can also be transmitted through blood transfusions, sharing needles, during childbirth, and so forth. These latter cases are quite unusual; mosquitoes are the major threat for individuals traveling to areas where malaria is endemic.

There are actually several types of parasites that can cause malaria, with the variety found in sub-Saharan Africa typically causing the most severe cases. Once infected, malaria symptoms typically occur within 7 days to 4 weeks, though it can take up to a year for symptoms to develop.

While malaria can be a very serious condition for all its victims, children and pregnant women are at the greatest risk of severe illness and death.

Symptoms of malaria include:

• High fever
• Chills
• Excessive sweating
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue

The above become quite severe very quickly. Patients who have cause to suspect malaria should seek help at early symptoms, if possible; untreated, malaria can rapidly lead to:

• Severe confusion
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Kidney failure
• Coma
• Death

There is currently no vaccination against malaria; if prevention fails, treatment with Quinin or a similar medication is the only option.

Dosage & Administration

If malaria is diagnosed, or if unable to have it formally diagnosed but strongly suspected, treatment should commence. Quinin comes in tablets, which should be taken with food to help prevent nausea and vomiting.

Patients are typically advised to take 600 mg of Quinin every 8 hours for a duration of 7 days.

There are a number of other considerations to keep in mind to ensure treatment is effective and as trouble-free as possible:

• Vomiting is a common symptom of malaria and also a side effect of Quinin. If vomiting occurs with 30 minutes of taking a dose, the whole dose should be taken again. If vomiting occurs between 30 and 60 minutes after taking a dose, a half-dose should be taken again.
• Mixing antimalarials can be quite dangerous. If taking another antimalarial products be sure doctors are informed before treatment with Quinin begins.
• Aluminum and magnesium, found in many antacids, interfere with Quinin's effectiveness. Wait at least 3 hours before or after taking quinine before consuming antacids.
• Patients with any condition that causes, or taking medications that cause, heart arrhythmia should not take Quinin without explicit doctor approval and monitoring.
• Young children may require modified dosing. It's a good idea to consult a doctor about proper dosing before traveling to a malaria-endemic area, before the child is ill and treatment is urgent.

Quinin is widely regarded as the safest malaria treatment for pregnant women.

In some areas the parasites that cause malaria have developed some resistance to Quinin. Though still widely used---as it has been in some form or another for hundreds of years---it may not always be the preferred treatment.

Quinin can produce serious side effects and complications, and it does react with medications other than other antimalarials. Patients are advised to read the insert included with this product for the most up-to-date information.