Quinine for Leg Cramps

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Quinine®

Numerous over-the-counter products are marketed for the treatment of leg cramps. However, some of these products contain quinine (including quinine sulfate or quinine salts)—a substance that has been linked to serious side effects . In late 2006, the FDA stated that the potential benefit of quinine for leg cramps was outweighed by the risks of severe side effects and fatality.

The FDA's December 12, 2006 advisory warned consumers and physicians not to use quinine for leg cramps, and on the same day, the FDA ordered all non-approved products containing quinine (including leg cramp treatments) to be taken off the market.

Leg Cramps

Thousands of people suffer from occasional or frequent leg cramps. Often, the cramps occur at night during sleep, and the pain caused by the cramp can be very severe. Although these cramps usually go away within minutes without treatment, foot and leg cramps can be a repeated and troubling problem.

Since the 1940s, quinine has been used as a palliative for leg cramps. Nevertheless, quinine use is not deemed safe or effective for this purpose. Only when used for potentially life threatening conditions like malaria do the risks outweigh the benefits.

Quinine in Herbal Products, Supplements, Drugs

Quinine has been added to herbal products, diet supplements, and drugs for years. Between 1969 and 2006, however, the FDA has received more than 650 reports of serious adverse medical events linked to quinine use, including 93 deaths . The only FDA-approved quinine product, Qualaquin, is used to treat certain kinds of malaria — not leg cramps or other medical problems. Quinine products such as those used for leg cramps can have severe side effects, including:

• Serious interactions with other drugs
• Severe hypersensitivity reactions
• Abnormal heart rhythms
• Thrombocytopenia (a blood disorder that can cause a hemorrhage or clotting)
• Renal failure

If You Have Taken Quinine for Leg Cramps