Quinine is a medication that is formulated to treat a potentially life-threatening medical condition known as malaria. This medication has also been used for several years to treat painful leg cramps, particularly those that occur at night. The use of quinine for leg cramps is known as an off-label usage because quinine is not formulated to specifically treat leg cramps. There have been many reports of negative side effects stemming from the use of quinine for this purpose, ranging from relatively mild side effects such as nausea or ringing in the ears to more severe side effects such as heart attacks or strokes.
While many patients have reported positive results from the use of quinine for leg cramps, there have been such significant reports of harmful side effects, including death, for which reason many medical professionals are no longer willing to prescribe it. As medical technology continues to advance, safer treatments for leg cramps are becoming available, reducing the need to consider using this medication.
Some patients have reported only mild concerns when taking quinine for leg cramps. These side effects may include headaches, nausea, or dizziness. A mild rash may be present in some cases, or the patient may experience occasional ringing in the ears. These side effects may not be enough to warrant changing medications. Unfortunately, there have been many reports of much more serious side effects.
Heart attacks and strokes are among the most serious potential side effects of using quinine. A condition known as thrombocytopenia has also been reported. This is a medical condition in which the body does not make enough platelets, the portion of the blood responsible for clotting. This decrease in platelet production may lead bleeding disorders or even hemorrhage. Without prompt medical treatment, the patient suffering from this side effect may bleed to death.
Quinine has been shown to interact negatively with many other types of medication. The patient who considers taking quinine for leg cramps should be sure to tell his or her healthcare provider about all medications that are being taken, whether they are over-the-counter, prescription, or herbal medications. Hearing loss, kidney failure, and liver failure have also been reported as possible side effects of taking medications containing quinine. There have been many lawsuits filed by patients or surviving family members relating to the use of this medicine, so any patient who has suffered any of these side effects may want to consider contacting an attorney for legal advice.
