Can Quinine Treat Leg Cramps?
Quinine sulfate (
Qualaquin®) is a prescription medication used to treat
malaria, a blood infection caused by parasites. At this time, quinine is only available as the medication Qualaquin. Other products (available over-the-counter, or "OTC") that claim to contain quinine actually contain very little of the medication -- too little to have any quinine actions.
This medication is not approved to treat or prevent leg cramps. However, the majority of quinine's use in the United States has been for this unapproved purpose. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about quinine use for leg cramps. This warning states that this product should not be used for nighttime leg cramps due to the potential for serious and life-threatening reactions.
Some people developed permanent kidney damage after using
quinine for leg cramps. There have also been reports of hospitalization and death. Because of the risk for these reactions, this medicine is no longer recommended for the treatment or prevention of leg cramps.
Furthermore, quinine interacts with many other medications
(see Drug Interactions With Quinine). It should also be noted that there is very little evidence showing quinine relieves leg cramps.
HealthSavvy Sign In
|
