Apotex Quinine

Description

Description

Information about the drug

Quinine is an alkaloid contained in the bark of various types of quinine tree. This ancient remedy is still used to treat malaria, relieve muscle cramps and as an antipyretic. It is used in obstetric practice, cardiology and oncology. In addition, synthetic drugs are made on its basis. Quinine was first isolated in 1820 from the bark of a quinine tree. It is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in the health care system.

Quinine Sulfate is a drug that is used as the only drug for the treatment of malaria, which is caused by the bites of mosquitoes. This disease is common in many countries with a humid and warm climate. When an infected insect bites, the parasite enters the body and lives in red blood cells and in the liver.The parasite that is responsible for the infection is called Plasmodium Falciparum, it is the simplest unicellular parasite, its presence in the body causes symptoms of malaria.This parasite lives in red blood cells, and thus enters other tissues with blood.

Quinine Sulfate kills these parasites and prevents their reproduction when it enters the human’s body, thereby helping the patient to recover and not to suffer from this disease in the future. But in some cases, one drug may not be enough for a complete victory over the disease, then it becomes necessary to add drugs of a similar effect to the course of treatment. Today, more effective synthetic drugs are used for this purpose, but for a number of reasons, quinine is still being used.

Quinine has a complex and multifaceted effect on the human body. It has an antiarrhythmic effect, slows down conduction, reduces the excitability and automatism of the heart muscle and at the same time has a weak atropine-like effect. It also lowers body temperature by inhibiting the thermoregulatory center of the hypothalamus.

Quinine reduces the excitability of the central nervous system and has a mild non-specific sedative (sedative) effect. This drug has a nonspecific analgesic effect, especially pronounced for headache, and potentiates (enhances) the effect of narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics. It is also used in food products, giving them a bitter taste, for example, in tonics.

Applying

Quinine is available in capsules for oral using. For the treatment of malaria, this drug is used three times per day every eight hours along with meals.

For treatment of malaria, the dose in adults is 1-1.2 g oraly per day, in case of severe course the therapeutic dose is 1.5 g. This dose is divided into 2-3 parts, usualy the course of treatment last up to 5-7 days. In obstetric practice, quinine is used  to start and stimulate labor, in combination with other drugs (estrogens, oxytocin, serotonin). In this case quinine is taken in dose from 0.1 to 0.15 g, up to 6 times every 30 minutes. With uterine hypotension in the early postpartum period the drug is used intravenousus, the dose is 1-3 ml of a 50% quinine solution in 20 ml of a 5% dextrose solution or 0.9% NaCl solution.

The course of treatment usualy lasts for 3-7 days. An important factor is that the drug must be used at the same time to maintain an equal amount of the drug in the blood, throughout the course this will allow you to deal with the disease more effectively. Also, it should be noted that the capsules with the drug should be swallowed whole, without opening or chewing, as they have bitter taste. The therapeutic effect of the drug begins on the first or second day of using, but it should not be discontinued, as symptoms can quickly return.

Malaria treatment should be performed under the guidance of medical staff. If the effect of the drug does not appear after three days of treatment, you should inform your doctor. In such cases, tests are made to determine the cause of uneffectiveness. Also, regular tests will help to prevent the recurrence of malaria.

Side effects

Common side effects include headache, tinnitus, blurred vision, and sweating. More serious side effects include deafness, low blood platelets, and an irregular heartbeat. Useage of this drug may make one more prone to sunburn. This drug has an ability to lower blood sugar levels, this process should be monitored to avoid serious consequences in the form of hypoglycemia.

Due to the narrow difference between its therapeutic and toxic doses, quinine is a common cause of drug-induced disorders, including thrombocytopenia and thrombotic microangiopathy. Even from minor levels, quinine can have serious negative consequences involving several organ systems, including immune system effects and fever, hypotension, hemolytic anemia, acute kidney damage, liver toxicity, and blindness. In people with atrial fibrillation, conduction defects, or heart block, quinine can cause cardiac arrhythmias and should be avoided.

Quinine can also cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, hives, serious skin rashes, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, angioedema, facial edema, bronchospasm, granulomatous hepatitis and pruritus.

Also may occur other side effects:

• Nervousness;
• Confusion of thoughts;
• Nausea;
• Abdominal pain;
• Headache;
• Attacks of fever.

Attention!

Be careful! A lot of drugs are made without proper technologies! They can cause additional side effects! We highly recommend you to use APOTEX QUININE  from trusted distributors! We check our suppliers!

Warning!

This drug is a medical product and requires following recommendations of its usage and storage. It should be stored in the cool dark place, avoiding direct sunlight. It’s also necessary to keep this drug out of children`s reach!

You MUST consult with your attending physician before you start using this drug. We also ask you to take into account that this drug may cause some side effects. Some of them can be life-threatening. If you notice any disturbing symptoms you should to contact with your physician. In some cases, it is necessary to stop taking the drug for a while. Also, you must inform your doctor if you taking APOTEX QUININE  with other medicines. So physician can prescribe proper treatment and help you to avoid any unpleasant adverse effects.