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mrsD · 05-14-2008, 08:35 AM

to find answers to rare things in medicine.

But I have been thinking about you.

I don't think your taking 3 Qualaquin for leg cramps is a safe thing to do.
(I personally have never seen that high a dose-- two being typical in the old days)

Here is a website that lists the potential toxic results from quinine, and your
use is high dose.

http://www.oshmanlaw.com/pharmaceuti...on/quinine.asp

If you suffer periods of unconsciousness, this may be the result of a
cardiac arrhythmia, which quinine can induce.

Quote:

Quinine poses serious and potentially deadly risks. These side effects clearly outweigh the potential benefits of using this drug for the treatment or prevention of nocturnal leg cramps. Quinine adverse reactions include:

* Cardiac arrhythmias. This potentially serious condition causes irregularities in
the sequence of heartbeats. Quinine cardiac arrhythmias can produce anxiety and, more seriously, impair the heart’s ability to properly pump blood. Drug treatments, artificial pacemakers, and other treatments may be necessary to address this condition.

* Thrombocythemia. This is a quinine side effect that causes the body to produce
excess platelets, which leads to abnormal blood clotting or bleeding. This condition doesn’t often produce symptoms, though it can cause the formation of blood clots. Symptoms of blood clots can include tingling the extremities, cold fingertips, headaches, dizziness, and weakness. Nosebleeds, bruising easily, digestive tract bleeding, and gum oozing are also possible symptoms. Drug treatment is often required for this serious condition.

* Cinchonism. This condition is characterized by headaches, nausea,
ringing of the ears, visual impairment, stomach pain, rashes, diarrhea, vertigo, and vomiting.

* Hypersensitivity reactions. Symptoms of this quinine side effect include hives, skin
flushing, fever, facial swelling, and more.

* Drug interactions. When quinine is taken concurrently with mefloquine, it can
increase the risk of seizures, heart arrhythmias, and other serious reactions. Other concurrent drug use may also pose serious risks.

* Contraindications. Patients with any of these condition may be at an increased
risk of quinine side effects: tinnitus (or ringing of the ears), certain visual conditions, and more.

* Quinine overdose. Another serious risk posed by quinine use is the potential to
receive a toxic dose. The difference between correct dose and overdose is very small with quinine. If a patient suffers a quinine overdose it can cause serious damage and may be lethal. Symptoms can include gastrointestinal side effects, cardiotoxicity, visual disturbances, central nervous system disturbances, and more.

Since 1969, the FDA has received 665 reports of serious adverse reactions caused by quinine. The agency has received reports of almost 100 deaths caused by quinine. In light of these grave risks, the FDA urges patients not to use quinine for the treatment or prevention of leg cramps.

There are alternative solutions to leg cramps beside quinine. I hope you discuss this with your doctor(s).

This website lists drug accidents reported to MedWatch. Here is the quinine one:
Notice many reactions at the low dose of ONE capsule!
http://patientsville.com/medication/...de_effects.htm

from this site:
http://www.pharmgkb.org/do/serve?obj...DrugProperties

Quote:

Incidence rare Cinchonism abdominal pain) blurred vision) change in color vision) diarrhea) headache) nausea) ringing or buzzing in ears) vomiting) hemolytic uremic syndrome abdominal pain) bruising) fever or chills) increased sweating) muscle aches) nausea) vomiting) hypersensitivity reactions abdominal pain) difficulty in breathing and/or swallowing) fever) hives) nausea) reddening of the skin, especially around ears) swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose) unusual tiredness or weakness) hypoprothrombinemia unusual bleeding or bruising) visual disturbances blurred vision) disturbed color perception) double vision) night blindness)