Qualaquin (Quinine Sulfate Capsules) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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May 27, 2012

Qualaquin

Travel Medicine »

Why should travelers see a physician before they leave on a trip?

Travelers should see a physician before leaving for a trip if

they are going to developing countries,
they are visiting sites that are not on the usual tourist routes or traveling to high altitudes,
they have chronic diseases that could be affected by travel,
they are visiting countries that require vaccinations before they allow travelers to enter the country.

The goal of a pre-travel medical evaluation is to help travelers protect themselves against (1) common diseases that may be mild but that will disrupt their trip, and (2) less common diseases that may be serious or even fatal. All travelers need to be up to date on routine vaccines they would normally get if they were not traveling. For example, an annual influenza vaccination (flu shot) is recommended if traveling during influenza season. Travelers should also be up to date on te...

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PATIENT INFORMATION

QUALAQUIN®
(kwol-a-kwin) (Quinine sulfate) Capsules

Read the Medication Guide that comes with QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. You and your healthcare provider should talk about QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) when you start taking it and at regular checkups. QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) is not approved for the treatment of night-time leg cramps.

What is the most important information I should know about QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ?

QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) used to treat or prevent leg cramps may cause serious side effects or even death.

QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) may cause your blood cell (platelet) count to drop causing serious bleeding problems. In some people, serious kidney problems can happen.
QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) may cause problems with your heart rhythm that can lead to death
QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) may cause serious allergic reactions.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have:

easy bruising
severe nose bleed
blood in urine or stool
bleeding gums
appearance of unusual purple, brown or red spots on your skin (bleeding under your skin)
rash
hives
severe itching

severe flushing
swelling of your face
trouble breathing
chest pain
rapid heartbeat
irregular heart rhythm
weakness
sweating
nervousness

Taking QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) with some other medicines can increase the chance of serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you take any other medicines.

Certain medicines can cause the blood levels of QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) to be too high or too low in your body. It is important for you to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects or death. Even medicines that you may take for a short period of time, such as antibiotics, can mix in your blood with QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) and cause serious side effects or death. Do not start taking a new medicine without telling your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What is QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ?

QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) is a prescription medication used to treat malaria (uncomplicated) caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) is Not approved to:

Prevent malaria
Treat severe or complicated malaria
Prevent or treat night-time leg cramps

It is not known if QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) is safe and works in children younger than 16 years old.

Who should not take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ?

Do not take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) if you have:

certain heart rhythm problems (atrial fibrillation) or abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) (QT prolongation).
low levels of an enzyme called Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD).
an autoimmune disease (myasthenia gravis) that leads to muscle weakness.
had allergic reactions to quinine, quinidine, or mefloquine (Lariam®).
had serious side effects to quinine (QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ), such as low platelets, which are necessary for your blood to clot.
an inflammation of the nerve important for vision (optic neuritis).

What should I tell my healthcare provider before starting QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ?

Before you take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) , tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have heart problems.
Have kidney problems.
Have liver problems.
Have any other medical condition.
Are pregnant or could be pregnant. Treatment of malaria is important because it can be a serious disease for a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. Your healthcare provider can tell you more about the benefits and risks of taking this medication during pregnancy. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can be seen in pregnant women while taking QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) . This can include sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or confusion. You and your healthcare provider can decide if QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) is right for you.
Are breast-feeding. Small amounts of QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) can pass into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider can decide if you should breastfeed while taking QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) .

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

How should I take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ?

Take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how many QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) capsules to take and when to take them.
To lower the chance of stomach upset, take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) with food.
Finish all the QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) that is prescribed even if you feel better. Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your healthcare provider.
Do not take more than the amount prescribed. Do not take more than 2 capsules at one time or more than 3 doses in one day. If you take more than the prescribed dose, call your healthcare provider right away.
If you forget to take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) , do not double the next dose. If it has been more than 4 hours since the missed dose, just wait and take the regular dose at the next scheduled time. Call your healthcare provider if you are not sure what to do.
If you take too much QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Call your healthcare provider right away if:

If you feel worse, or if you do not start feeling better within 1 or 2 days of starting to take QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) .
If your fever comes back after finishing treatment with QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) .

What are the possible side effects of QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ?

QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) may cause serious side effects.

See “What is the most important information I should know about QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ” section.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can include sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or confusion.

Common side effects with QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) include:

headache
sweating
flushing
nausea
ringing in your ears
diarrhea
deafness

hearing loss
dizziness (vertigo)
blurred vision
changes in how you see color
vomiting
stomach pain
blindness

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) . For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) ?

Keep the capsules in a tightly closed container.
Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Store at 20°C to 25°C (68ºF to 77°F).

Keep QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General Information about QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules)

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) . If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for information about QUALAQUIN® (quinine sulfate capsules) that is written for healthcare professionals.

For more information, go to www.QUALAQUIN (quinine sulfate capsules) com or call 1-888-351-3786.

What are the ingredients in QUALAQUIN®?

Active Ingredients: Quinine Sulfate, USP

Inactive Ingredients: Corn starch, magnesium stearate, talc

This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Last reviewed on RxList: 7/13/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.