Quinine is an alkaloid with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Chinine became famous as the first drug that successfully fought malaria. Today, quinine is used less frequently for this purpose, but it is used in cosmetics and, due to its bitter taste, in tonic drinks. What are the properties of quinine? What application has it found in medicine? What are the side effects of quinine?

Chininais a substance obtained from the bark of the evergreen Cinchona tree growing in the Andes. Quinine is an alkaloid (alkaloids are organic chemical compounds, which also include morphine and cocaine), quinoline, with the formula C20H24O2 , is a white powder, bitter in taste, slightly soluble in water. The melting point of quinine is 177 degrees. C.

Quinine was the first effective drug used to treat malaria. It has an antipyretic and analgesic effect, but unlike, for example, aspirin, it does not inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis, so it has no anti-inflammatory effect.

It has the ability to kill malaria germs, the plasmodium schizonts that attack, develop and break down red blood cells. Despite its many valuable properties, quinine also causes a lot of side effects.

Chinine in tonic and other foods

The use of quinine hydrochloride is permitted in the food industry, and information about it, in accordance with European Union Directive 2002/67 / EC, must always be provided on the product label.

The maximum dose that manufacturers can use is 7.5 ml of quinine hydrochloride per 100 ml of drink. Exceeding this amount may result in food poisoning for the consumer, and in extreme cases even death (the lethal dose of quinine is 10-15 g).

And in what product can we find quinine? In a very popular drink, characterized by a bitter taste, which is a tonic. Drinking tonic (containing quinine hydrochloride) is not indifferent to the body, so it is definitely not advisable to overuse this drink. If, for example, we drink tonics all day, we can expect at least visual disturbances (nystagmus), hearing and balance, malaise, drowsiness, nausea.

Drivers should watch out for tonics,pilots, as well as, for example, construction machinery operators, because frequent drinking of this drink may worsen their professional efficiency. Also, children and pregnant women should not drink tonic.

Chinina - properties and application

The right-handed isomer of quinine, quinidine, also obtained synthetically (sold as quinidine sulfate - quinidinum sulfuricum) is less effective against malaria, but is a good anti-arrhythmic heart medicine.

It stabilizes the cell membrane, which reduces the excitability and conductivity in the heart, and inhibits the spontaneous formation of abnormal excitations.

In higher doses, quinidine reduces the strength of heart contraction and slows down its activity. For these reasons, it is recommended for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and flutter. In addition, quinidine also has an analgesic and antipyretic effect.

Quinine and quinidine improve digestion because they stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and improve food absorption.

Quinine is also used in the treatment of rheumatism, calf cramps, colds, in some muscle diseases and in the treatment of skin lesions caused by photosensitivity to light.

Chinina - use in cosmetics

Quinine has been found to have strong hair strengthening properties. Especially in combination with caffeine, it prevents hair loss. Quinine strengthens the microcirculation in the hair bulbs, thus contributing to the stimulation of hair growth.

Quinine in the treatment of malaria (malaria)

Today, in the treatment of malaria (malaria), other drugs are used, most notablychloroquine , which has far fewer side effects and contraindications than quinine. In the treatment of malaria, quinine is only used when resistance to chloroquine has developed.

Please inform your doctor prior to treatment if you suffer from psoriasis, kidney problems, changes in your blood picture, or a muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).

Quinine overdose in children can be fatal! Therefore, you should carefully follow the doctor's instructions and keep the tablets out of the reach of the child.

The dose is determined by the doctor. Most often, in the treatment of malaria, in the case of an adult, 1000-2000 mg of quinine daily in divided doses is used for the first two days, then 500-1500 mg daily for several weeks. (Dosage of quinine in the treatment of malaria in children: 1-3 years of age - 100-300 mg daily in divided doses, 3-7 years - 300-700 mg daily in divided doses, 8-14 years - 700-1000 mg daily in divided doses.

ActionThe analgesic and antipyretic quinine is obtained at a dose of 300-600 mg / day (in an adult).

The drug passes into breast milk, although its effect on the baby is unlikely - but if a woman intends to breastfeed her baby while using quinine, she should definitely consult a doctor.

Chinina - side effects

Like all drugs, quinine sometimes has an undesirable effect on the body. It happens that it calls:

  • irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, may lead to digestive problems, nausea, loss of appetite
  • heart rate slower
  • allergic reaction or hypersensitivity (itchy skin, rash)
  • uterine contractions and thus may lead to miscarriage
  • headaches and dizziness
  • hair and skin color change
  • visual disturbance, e.g. blurred vision, eye accommodation disturbance, permanent damage to the retina
  • changes in liver function
  • anxiety
  • permanent hearing loss

Quinine - contraindications to treatment with quinine

  • pregnancy (risk of harm to the fetus! Quinine cannot be given to a pregnant woman unless her life is at risk)
  • epilepsy
  • hearing or vision impairment (check up before starting treatment)

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