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QUININE SULFATE 200 MG TABLETS - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

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Patient leaflet - QUININE SULFATE 200 MG TABLETS

QUININE SULFATE 200 MG TABLETS

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.

  • Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
  • If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, or pharmacist or nurse.
  • This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours
  • If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
  • 1. What Quinine Sulfate Tablets are and what they are used for

  • 2. What you need to know before you take Quinine Sulfate Tablets

  • 3. How to take Quinine Sulfate Tablets

  • 4. Possible side effects

  • 5. How to store Quinine Sulfate Tablets

  • 6. Contents of the pack and other information

  • 1. What Quinine Sulfate Tablets are and what they are used for

  • This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called protozoal agents and they are used to treat: malaria.
  • and prevent night cramps in adults and the elderly when sleep is regularly disrupted

2. what you need to know before you take quinine sulfate tablets

Do not take this medicine if you:

  • are allergic to quinine (including that in tonic water and other beverages), quinoline or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
  • have blood in your urine
  • haveringing in your ears
  • suffer from muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
  • problems with your eyes or difficulty seeing
  • have been told you have a disorder affecting the red blood cells (haemolysis)

Warnings and Precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you:

  • have irregular heart beats or other heart disease
  • have had malaria for a long time
  • suffer from severe glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD), this can cause episodes of anaemia after eating certain foods such as fava beans (favism) or take certain drugs including dapsone and drugs to prevent malaria.
  • were born with or have any condition that causes an abnormal heart rhythm.

You should not take more than the prescribed dose as a condition called ‘cinchonism’ may occur even with normal doses. Please see section 4 ‘Possible side effects’ for symptoms of cinchonism and tell your doctor if you experience any of them.

Other Medicines and Quinine Sulfate Tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Especially:

  • anticoagulants (to stop your blood from clotting)
  • cardiac glycosides (for your heart such as digoxin)
  • chloroquine, mefloquine, artemether with lumefantrine or primaquine, halfantrine (also to treat malaria)
  • cimetidine (to treat stomach ulcers or acid reflux and indigestion)
  • amantadine (to treat Parkinsons Disease or some viral infections)
  • ciclosporin (to prevent transplant rejection)
  • flecainide, quinidine or amiodarone (to treat irregular heart beats)
  • astemizole or terfenadine (for allergic reactions)
  • pimozide or thioridazine (to treat some mental disorders)
  • moxifloxacin, rifampicin, or antifunglas (to treat infections)
  • medicines to treat diabetes
  • suxamethonium (muscle relaxant)
  • HIV medicines
  • barbiturates, carbamazepine or phenytoin (used in epilepsy)
  • Medicines which are known to cause disturbances in heart rhythm
  • levacetylmethadol (a pain killer).

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility:

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. You should not take quinine sulfate when you are pregnant or breast-feeding, unless the benefits outweigh the risks. This medicine should not be used to treat cramps during pregnancy.

Large doses of quinine can cause foetal abnormalities or induce abortion. You should not breast-feed a baby that might have glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Driving and using machines

Quinine Sulfate tablets may affect your vision and cause vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation). Make sure you are not affected before you drive or operate machinery.

3. how to take quinine sulfate tablets

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow the tablets whole with water.

The recommended dose is:

Malaria (you may be given another medicine for malaria with or after this course of quinine): Adults (including elderly) and children over 12 years of age: 600 mg every eight hours for 5–7 days.

Children under 12 years : 10 mg/kg of bodyweight every eight hours for 7 days.

If you have kidney or liver disease you may be given a different dose.

Night cramps:

Adults (including elderly): 200 mg at bedtime. It may take up to 4 weeks before you notice any reduction in the time of leg cramps.

If you take more Quinine Sulfate Tablets than you should

If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of tablets at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest hospital causuality department or tell your doctor immediately. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, coma, difficulty breathing, changes in heart beat and heart function, renal failure, fits, ‘ringing’ in the ears, loss of hearing, headache, feeling or being sick, changes in vision, low blood potassium (causing muscle twitching/weakness or abnormal heart rhythm) and low blood sugar and sweating. Some of these side effects can be fatal. High doses of quinine may also cause miscarriage in pregnant women.

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If you forget to take the tablets

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember it and then the next dose at the right time.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine may cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Contact your doctor at once if the following effects occur:

  • allergic reactions -itchy skin rash, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue, flushing, fever, asthma or sensitivity to light
  • sores in the mouth, nose, and eyes, a skin rash, blistering (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
  • cinchonism -abdominal pain, diarrhoea, disturbed vision (blurred vision, changes in colour perception or field of vision, total blindness), headache, feeling or being sick, ringing in the ears or impaired hearing, rashes, loss of consciousness, fits, shock due to heart problems, irregular heart beats, death. If these occur while taking Quinine Sulfate tablets for leg cramps, treatment should be stopped and a doctor contacted straight away.
  • changes to blood cells as seen in blood or urine tests. If you notice that you are bruising or bleeding easily, have frequent nose bleeds, or you have more sore throats and infections than usual tell your doctor who may want to give you a blood test.
  • diarrhoea, feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, low blood sugar.
  • muscle weakness, excitement, agitation, ‘spinning’ sensation’, confusion, loss of consciousness, coma, death.
  • tightness in chest, difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • headache, changes in vision, ‘ringing’ in the ears, loss of hearing.
  • swollen, itchy, flaky, red or raised patches of skin, rashes, sensitivity to light.
  • aggrevation of Myasthenia gravis (disorder characterised by muscle weakness, difficulty chewing or swallowing and slurred speech).
  • kidney damage, water retention, slowed heart rate, changes in heart rhythm and the way the heart beats, eczema, miscarriages (at very high concentrations), kidney failure, low production of urine, a fall in blood pressure and weak pulse.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: or search for MHRA Yellow card in the Google Play or Apple App store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. how to store quinine sulfate tablets

  • Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Store in the original package in order to protect from heat, light and moisture.
  • Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the carton or label (EXP). The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
  • Do not throw any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What Quinine Sulfate tablets contain:

  • The active substance is Quinine Sulfate. Each tablet contains 200 mg or 300 mg of Quinine sulfate.
  • The other ingredients are: powdered cellulose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate
  • Talc, anhydrous colloidal silica, sodium starch glycolate, dextrin, gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), sucrose

What Quinine Sulfate tablets look like and contents of the pack

  • Quinine Sulfate tablets are white, sugar coated, deep convex tablets.
  • These tablets are available as follows:
  • – Container packs of 28, 42, 50, 56, 84, 100, 112, 250, 500 and 1000 tablets.

  • – Blister packs of 28, 42, 56, 84 and 112 tablets.

  • Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets used for?

Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets are primarily used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites transmitted through mosquito bites. They can also be used to alleviate nocturnal leg cramps.

How do I take Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets?

Take Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Usually, it is taken with food to reduce stomach upset.

What should I avoid while taking Quinine Sulfate?

Avoid consuming alcohol and certain medications that may interact with Quinine Sulfate, such as blood thinners or other treatments for malaria.

Can pregnant or breastfeeding women take Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets?

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider before taking Quinine Sulfate, as it may not be suitable for everyone.

What are the side effects of Quinine Sulfate?

Common side effects include dizziness, headache, nausea, and stomach upset. If you experience severe symptoms like ringing in the ears or vision changes, seek medical attention immediately.

How long does it take for Quinine Sulfate to work?

The effectiveness of Quinine Sulfate can vary depending on the condition being treated, but many patients start to feel relief from symptoms within a few days of starting the medication.

Can I crush or split Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets?

It is generally not recommended to crush or split these tablets unless your healthcare provider has instructed you to do so.

What if I miss a dose of Quinine Sulfate?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Never double up on doses.

Is there a risk of addiction with Quinine Sulfate?

Quinine Sulfate is not known to be addictive. However, it should be taken only as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

Can I use over-the-counter medications alongside Quinine Sulfate?

Always consult your healthcare provider before using any over-the-counter medications while taking Quinine Sulfate to ensure there are no harmful interactions.

Are there any dietary restrictions while taking this medication?

While there are no specific dietary restrictions with Quinine Sulfate, it's best to maintain a balanced diet and avoid excessive alcohol consumption during treatment.

What should I do if I experience an allergic reaction to Quinine Sulfate?

If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, or difficulty breathing after taking Quinine Sulfate, seek medical attention immediately.

Can children take Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets?

Quinine dosage for children must be determined by a healthcare professional. Always consult a pediatrician before giving this medication to children.

Does Quinine Sulfate interact with other medications?

Yes, Quinine Sulfate can interact with various medications including anticoagulants and some heart medications. Discuss all current medications with your doctor.

How should I store Quinine Sulfate 200 mg tablets?

Store the tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep them out of reach of children.

What happens if I overdose on Quinine Sulfate?

An overdose can cause serious side effects such as severe headache, ringing in the ears, or irregular heartbeat. If you suspect an overdose, contact emergency medical services immediately.

Can I stop taking Quinine Sulfate if I feel better?

Do not stop taking Quinine Sulfate without consulting your healthcare provider first, even if you feel better. Stopping early can lead to relapse of malaria symptoms.

Are there alternatives to Quinine Sulfate for treating malaria?

Yes, there are several alternative treatments for malaria depending on the type of malaria and its severity. Consult your healthcare provider for more information.

Will taking Quinine Sulpahte affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Quinine may cause dizziness and affect coordination; it's advisable to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.