Quinine sulfate

Quinine Sulfate is a medication primarily used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. Quinine Sulfate is an alkaloid derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. It has been used for centuries in the treatment of malaria and is also used to treat lupus and arthritis.

History

Quinine Sulfate has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It was first isolated from the bark of the cinchona tree in 1820 by French chemists Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Bienaimé Caventou. The cinchona tree is native to the tropical Andean forests of western South America. The Quechua people of Peru have used cinchona bark to treat fevers for centuries.

Medical Uses

Quinine Sulfate is used to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. It is also used to treat nocturnal leg cramps and certain types of arrhythmia. Quinine Sulfate is typically administered orally, but can also be given by intravenous injection.

Side Effects

Like all medications, Quinine Sulfate can cause side effects. Common side effects include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), headache, nausea, and diarrhea. More serious side effects can include irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness, and easy bruising or bleeding.

Mechanism of Action

Quinine Sulfate works by killing the malaria parasites in red blood cells. It does this by interfering with the parasite's ability to break down and digest hemoglobin.

See Also

• Malaria
• Cinchona
• Alkaloid
• Plasmodium falcipum