Talk:Quinine
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Is it known how this drug works? AxelBoldt 18:13 Oct 8, 2002 (UTC)
- As far as I know, it just brings down fevers, and that's all the treatment it gives you. How it does that, I don't think anyone knows. Like most drugs, it just sort of works. Think anyone knows how acetaminophen (Tylenol) works? Think again... Graft 18:23 Oct 8, 2002 (UTC)
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- "It just sort of works" stopped being an acceptable answer back in the days of witch doctors. See "Method of action" under acetaminophen and stop misinforming people.
- Here how it quinine anti-malarial ability is believed to work: "exert selective toxicity towards the erythrocytic stages of malaria parasites" and "exerts its anti-malarial effects by interacting with the hemoglobin degradation process within the parasite, probably through an interaction with hematin" and finally "Much evidence has accumulated to support the hypothesis that quinoline type blood schizontocides exert their antimalarial activity through interacting with hematin" according to http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=105975 all of this can be summed up as "The theorized mechanism of action for Quinine and related anti-malarial drugs is that these drugs are toxic to the malaria parasite, specifically be interfering with the parasite’s ability to degrade and digest hemoglobin, thus starving the parasite or causing the build up of toxic levels of partially degraded hemoglobin in the parasite."--BerserkerBen 20:47, 12 Feb 2005 (UTC)
What is the significance of the reaction shown toward the bottom of the page? Are either of the products important? Without some explanation it seems like a rather strange thing to have there.. why oxidize to the two carboxylic acids? Veritol 24 April 2005
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[edit] Are there any other significant uses for Quinine?
I only ask as I’ve had a sore throat for the past 2 weeks and go to the point where I lost my voice. I had been taking throat lozenges occasionally for the two weeks to relieve the pain and that worked well but the antibacterial seemed to be rather ineffective... I decided to see if Quinine would/could make any difference. After drinking tonic water w/Quinine for about two days I found that I was expelling the infection and have managed to recover my voice. I guess my real question is: Why has a $3(NZ) bottle of Schweppes Tonic water w/Quinine in it helped more than pharmaceutical products designed for the purpose?
- Sure joint pain, headaches, fever reduction, even heart arrhythmia, several studies have found quinine have effect in reducing these aliments through anti-histamine properties : making it a sort of a ultra bitter aspirin. --BerserkerBen 05:37, 29 July 2005 (UTC)
- I heard a story on NPR where an author being interviewed said that quinine had been used, chiefly in Africa, to lighten one's skin. Supposedly it works by breaking down the melanin in the skin when directly applied. She suggested that it didn't usually work very well—produced spotty results. I came here looking for more information. Anyone know if I heard correctly?
[edit] Possible extra image
I've uploaded an image for tonic water (Image:Tonic water uv.jpg) showing the fluorescence of quinine. It might make an interesting addition to this article (but probably not to Canada Dry or black light) Splarka 00:30, 22 Jun 2005 (UTC)
[edit] birth control
I heard something about quinine as birth control in india. anybody? Lotusduck 04:52, 2 January 2006 (UTC)
- In high enough quinities it is a abortifactant, but then again so are many drugs at high quinities, at such levels the effects are toxic enough to kill, and if you survive its likely the fetus did not.
Okay, I think it was being used in a form of under the skin birth control measure. In india. This PBS website says it was some kind of supository, I assume they do not mean diaphragm. "1886- The first commercially manufactured birth control suppository is produced in England by London chemist W. J. Rendell. The quinine and "cacao-nut butter" suppository, known as "Rendell's," was somewhat effective and commonly used in England until World War II." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pill/timeline/ But I still haven't found anything like that documentary I'm pretty sure I saw on quinine extracts being implanted under the skin and working as a birth control patch. Lotusduck 14:32, 2 January 2006 (UTC)
- if you can find a credible source/refreance then you should put it into the article.
I guess I should get on that, since PBS is credible, but man. I was so sure people were using this as some kind of subdermal medication, and now I can't find anything on it. That's life though. stupid possible false memories. Lotusduck 01:48, 4 January 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Production
I'm in contact with some producing companies of Quinine, If any one knows more producers, we could add a production section to the encyclopedia. This would give an added value because people would start consulting and contributing for comercial information as well. please comment. Antrax 13:10, 17 January 2006 (UTC)
[edit] FDA Ban on Quinine
July/Aug 1995 FDA Consumer Updates:[1]
"Less than a year after ordering a halt to the marketing of over-the-counter (OTC) quinine sulfate for night leg cramps based on its serious risks, FDA ordered a stop to the marketing of prescription quinine for this use because even under a doctor's care, its risks outweigh any possible benefits.
In January, FDA sent warning letters to 44 companies stating that it is unlawful to market their quinine sulfate products for night leg cramp relief because FDA has not approved the drug for this use. By the end of March, all major manufacturers and distributors had stopped labeling their products for this use, including Marion Merrell Dow, the manufacturer of the original and best-known quinine drug, Quinamm.
From 1969 through June 1992, FDA received 157 reports of health problems related to quinine use, including 23 that resulted in death. Nonserious problems included temporary sight and hearing disturbances, dizziness, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serious problems included thrombocytopenia, a destruction of blood platelets that can lead to massive bleeding and sometimes death.
After weighing the benefits and risks of OTC quinine sulfate for night leg cramps, FDA concluded that quinine is not safe and effective for this use because:
- No studies demonstrate that quinine is effective against night leg cramps.
- Night leg cramps are not a threat to life or health.
- Health risks outweigh any small potential benefits.
Based on this finding, the agency published a rule in the Aug. 22, 1994, Federal Register prohibiting OTC marketing of the drug for leg cramps.
FDA also proposed to stop OTC marketing of quinine for another use--to prevent or treat malaria. The public has until July 3 to comment on the proposal, published in the April 19, 1995, Federal Register. The agency based the proposal on its conclusion that physician monitoring is essential to the safe and effective treatment of this serious, potentially life-threatening disease." --Ilfusco 17:19, 8 February 2006 (UTC)
A co-worker said to drink tonic water to relieve leg cramping at night and it worked immediately. Nobody could tell me why. This seems to be a valuable, inexpensive solution to an annoying, non-life threatening condition. Just want to get the word out.
Just a quick note: Quinine *is* available over the counter in the U.S., not just with a prescription. It is sometimes difficult to find, however.
