Quinine for leg cramps (2024)

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Type of medicine

An antimalarial medicine

Used for

Treatment of night-time leg cramps

Also called

Quinine bisulfate, quinine dihydrochloride, quinine sulfate

Available as

Tablets

You may be prescribed quinine for cramps in the leg if the cramps regularly disrupt your sleep, or are very painful. Taking quinine is generally only recommended if other treatments (such as stretching exercises and massaging the affected muscle) have been tried first and not been successful.

Quinine is likely to reduce the number and/or the severity of your leg cramps, but it may not stop them altogether. When quinine is first prescribed it will be done on a trial basis for a few weeks, as it may take this amount of time for you to start to feel the benefit. You can assess how well the quinine is working for you, by keeping a sleep and cramp diary. Make a note of how often you get cramp and how severe it is for a few weeks before you start treatment, and then compare this with episodes of cramp after the start of treatment.

Quinine can sometimes cause side-effects (some of which may be serious) so you should also check for any unwanted effects it is having on you. If quinine helps you then you may be advised to continue with it for a few months. You should, however, consider stopping quinine every three months or so. This is because, in some people, the cramps go away and so the treatment may no longer be needed.

Quinine is also used to treat malaria infection. For information about this please see the alternative medicine leaflet Quinine for malaria.

Before taking quinine

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking quinine it is important that your doctor knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding.

  • If you have any problems with your eyes, or with your hearing.

  • If you have a heart condition, such as an irregular heart rhythm.

  • If you have any problems with the way your kidneys work, or any problems with the way your liver works.

  • If you have blood in your urine.

  • If you have been told you have an imbalance of salt levels in your blood.

  • If you have a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis.

  • If you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. This is a genetic disorder where there is a lack of an enzyme often known as G6PD. People with this disorder have problems after eating foods such as fava beans.

  • If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine, or if you have had a bad reaction to quinine in tonic water or any other soft drink.

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  • Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about quinine and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

  • Take quinine exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to take one tablet (of either 200 mg or 300 mg) at bedtime. Your dose will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.

  • Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

  • If you forget to take a dose, do not worry, just skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the following evening as usual. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Remember to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. You may need to take quinine for about four weeks before you feel the full benefit.

  • Your doctor will discuss with you the possibility of unwanted side-effects of the treatment. It is important that you let your doctor know as soon as possible if you experience any of the following: impaired hearing, ringing noises in your ear, headaches, feeling sick, or any problems with your eyesight.

  • Quinine is present in drinks such as tonic water and bitter lemon. It is probably best to avoid these drinks while you are on quinine.

  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. Taking too much quinine can cause serious problems. Also, quinine is dangerous if it is taken by a child, so keep the tablets away from children. If you suspect that someone has taken an overdose of quinine or has swallowed some by accident, you must contact a doctor straightaway. Alternatively, go to the accident and emergency department of a local hospital. Do not delay. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This is so the doctor knows what has been taken.

  • If you buy any medicines, always check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines. This is because some medicines (such as cimetidine which is taken for heartburn) can interfere with quinine and increase the risk of serious side-effects.

  • If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as quinine can affect the level of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will be able to advise you about this.

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Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones associated with quinine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. Although side-effects are uncommon when quinine is used to treat leg cramps, serious side-effects do still sometimes occur. Contact your doctor for advice as soon as possible if you experience any of the following:

Quinine side-effects

What can I do if I experience this?

Diarrhoea, feeling sick (nausea), feeling weak or confused, 'ringing' in your ears, headache, having a spinning sensation (vertigo)

Tell your doctor as soon as possible

Difficulties seeing, such as blurred vision and colour changes

Tell your doctor as soon as possible. Do not drive while your vision is affected

Hot and flushed skin, rashes, muscle weakness, increased sensitivity to light

If any of these become troublesome, let your doctor know

Difficulty breathing, swelling around your mouth or face

Speak with your doctor straightaway - these are signs of an allergy to quinine

Unexplained bleeding, unusual bruising, sore throats or infections

Tell your doctor as soon as possible - these could be signs of a serious blood disorder and your doctor will want to check for this

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store quinine

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are using.

This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

Report side effects to a medicine or vaccine

If you experience side effects, you can report them online through the Yellow Card website.

Article history

The information on this page is written and peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • Next review due: 17 Apr 2027
  • 16 May 2024 | Latest version

    Last updated by

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Peer reviewed by

    Sid Dajani
Quinine for leg cramps (2024)

FAQs

Quinine for leg cramps? ›

Do not prescribe quinine tablets for leg cramps. The efficacy of quinine in preventing cramp is limited and is outweighed by the risk of severe thrombocytopenia, which may be fatal.

Why is quinine no longer recommended for leg cramps? ›

However, quinine is not without adverse effects, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration withdrew the indication for treatment of muscle cramps because of reports of serious adverse effects such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and arrhythmias.

What is the best drink to stop leg cramps? ›

If you're prone to leg cramps, here are four drinks to keep on hand the next time you're working out.
  1. Gatorade. Gatorade is a sports drink that contains electrolytes your muscles need to function. ...
  2. Powerade. Powerade is another electrolyte-containing sports drink similar to Gatorade. ...
  3. Pedialyte. ...
  4. Coconut water.
Feb 22, 2024

How to stop leg cramps immediately? ›

Stretch the cramped muscle and gently rub it. For a calf cramp, keep the leg straight while pulling the top of your foot on the side that's cramped toward your face. Also try standing with your weight on your cramped leg and pressing down firmly. This helps ease a cramp in the back of the thigh too.

Why does vinegar stop leg cramps? ›

Acetic acid is postulated to mitigate cramping by decreasing alpha motor neuron activity through oropharyngeal stimulation and inhibitory neurotransmitter production, while aiding in the role acetylcholine plays in muscle contraction and relaxation.

What is your body lacking when you have leg cramps? ›

Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in the diet can cause leg cramps. Medicines often prescribed for high blood pressure can cause increased urination, which may drain the body of these minerals.

Why did the US ban quinine? ›

Why is quinine banned? The FDA does not approve or recommend quinine as a treatment for certain health conditions, such as nocturnal leg cramps, due to the risk of adverse health complications, including: heart arrhythmias. acute kidney injury.

What is the best vitamin for leg cramps? ›

What vitamins may help with leg cramps? No vitamin is likely to help with a leg cramp 100% of the time. But some experts do recommend that you take a vitamin B12 complex or magnesium for leg cramps.

Do bananas help leg cramps? ›

You probably know that bananas are a good source of potassium. But they'll also give you magnesium and calcium. That's three out of four nutrients you need to ease muscle cramps tucked under that yellow peel. No wonder bananas are a popular, quick choice for cramp relief.

Why does pickle juice stop cramps? ›

Pickle juice for cramps is thought to work because it stimulates a neuromuscular reflex that tells your brain to release a muscle cramp. Pickle juice may be particularly effective at triggering this cramp-relieving reflex due to its combination of salt and acetic acid.

What foods should you avoid if you have leg cramps? ›

Avoid processed foods, added sugar, salt, fatty meats, and alcohol.

Does drinking water before bed prevent leg cramps? ›

Stay Hydrated

If you frequently experience leg cramps at night, it could mean you need to drink more fluids before going to bed.

What is the best thing to take for cramp in your legs? ›

Things you can do about leg cramps yourself

Standing up and putting your weight on the leg with the cramp may also help. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help to ease muscle soreness after a cramp, but they will not help when it's happening as they take too long to work.

What is the best medicine for leg cramps? ›

Under the direction of your healthcare provider, you might want to try the following:
  • Carisoprodol (Soma®): A muscle relaxant.
  • Diltiazem (Cartia XT®): A calcium-channel blocker.
  • Orphenadrine (Norflex®): Treats muscle spasms and relieves pain and stiffness in muscles.
  • Verapamil: A calcium-channel blocker.
  • Magnesium.

Why was quinine replaced? ›

Because quinine fails to produce a complete cure of malaria, better antimalarial drugs have been developed. Research during World War II produced a number of antimalarial drugs that almost completely replaced quinine.

Why was quinine removed from tonic water? ›

Tonic water is known to cause fixed eruptions, which is a type of skin reaction to drugs, due to the quinine content. Various scientific journals have reported that repeated intake of tonic water can cause fixed eruptions with varying severity, with one reporting the onset of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

References

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