Quinine sulfate for malaria
Examples
Generic Name quinine sulfate plus an antibiotic such as doxycycline or tetracycline quinine sulfate and clindamycin quinine sulfate (rarely used alone) How It Works
Quinine sulfate prevents the development of malaria parasites in the blood.
To treat malaria, you can take quinine sulfate alone for 3 to 7 days, but it is more commonly used in one of three different combinations:
- Quinine sulfate plus doxycycline or tetracycline is taken for 7 days.
- Quinine sulfate and clindamycin are taken for 7 days.
You usually take quinine sulfate as a tablet (orally).
Why It Is Used
Quinine sulfate plus another medication is the medication of choice for chloroquine-resistant malaria (where chloroquine is no longer effective against the malaria parasite).
How Well It Works
Quinine sulfate is effective against all species of Plasmodium.
Side Effects
Side effects of quinine sulfate include:
- Nausea.
- Blurred vision.
- Headache.
- Ringing in the ears.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Quinine sulfate given through a needle directly into a vein (intravenously, or IV) is not widely available in Canada, but intravenous quinidine gluconate, as a substitute, works just as well.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Carrie Henley | Last Updated: July 26, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
 | ||
| |
| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |