What Is Quinine?

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Quinine®

Humans have used quinine for centuries, as a medicine for malaria and as a treatment for leg cramps . The natural form of quinine is a bitter-tasting white powder from the bark of the South American cinchona tree, but a synthetic version of quinine has been in use since the late 1940s for treating malaria. In the 1990s, concerns began to mount over the safety of quinine for treating conditions other than malaria and in December 2006, the Food and Drug Administration took action against manufacturers of unapproved quinine products.

Not Approved for Leg Cramps

A controversial use of quinine the "off-label," or non-FDA-approved treatment for leg cramps. Thousands of people suffer from leg cramps, sometimes on a daily basis. Leg cramps can be quite painful and are often more severe at night. Several non-FDA-approved quinine products—including herbal remedies and other products sold "OTC" (over the counter) or over the Internet—have been marketed as remedies for leg cramps.

The FDA has not approved any quinine product for the treatment of leg cramps. In fact, the FDA has recorded more than 600 cases of serious quinine side effects and at least 93 deaths since 1969. In late 2006, the FDA ordered all firms to stop making and marketing unapproved drug products containing quinine.

The FDA is not stopping beverage companies from using tiny, regulated amounts of quinine in tonic water and some other beverages, and the approved anti-malarial products containing quinine may continue being used, but other "treatments" containing quinine are considered unsafe—and even ineffective—by the FDA. In fact, the FDA has deemed the use of quinine for treating non-life-threatening conditions unjustifiable given its significant risks.

Serious Side Effects and Fatalities

The use of quinine as a treatment for leg cramps has been linked to severe side effects and many deaths. Although the FDA has warned consumers about the dangers of quinine, the use of quinine for leg cramps appears to be growing.

If you have taken an herbal or drug product containing quinine and you have suffered side effects, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options. Contact us today to arrange a complimentary consultation.