Examples

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 plus pyrimethamine-sulfadoxine is taken as a single dose of three tablets.
• Quinine sulfate plus clindamycin is 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 available in the United States, but intravenous quinidine gluconate, as a substitute, works just as well.

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