How It Works
Quinidine gluconate prevents the development of malaria parasites in the blood.
Quinidine gluconate is given through a needle directly into a vein (intravenously, or IV) for a maximum of 7 days.
Why It Is Used
You use quinidine gluconate for severe malaria infection if:
- You cannot take oral antimalarial medications.
- You have serious complications (such as heart or kidney failure).
- The percentage of red blood cells infected (density of parasites) is greater than 5% and the infection is very severe.
How Well It Works
Quinidine gluconate is effective in the treatment of severe Plasmodium falciparum infections.
Side Effects
Side effects of quinidine gluconate include:
- Very low levels of sugar in the blood (hypoglycemia).
- Nausea.
- Blurred vision.
- Headache.
- Belly pain.
- Ringing in the ears and temporary loss of hearing.
- An abnormal heartbeat.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
You should stop taking intravenous (IV) quinidine gluconate as soon as you can take oral medications.
In the United States, intravenous quinidine gluconate is used because intravenous quinine sulfate is not available.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
| Author | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease |
| Last Updated | May 16, 2007 |
