Quinine Water Side Effects: Ill Effects of Quinine Sulfate Tonic

Quinine Water Side Effects

Quinine is the primary drug used for the treatment of malaria. It does not necessarily eradicate the disease, but it helps in the termination of the parasite depending on the life cycle. In some places however, the use of this medication was tapered because of quinine water side effects that were observed.

More than just being a malarial drug, it has also been used to treat leg cramps because of its muscle-relaxing property.

Quinine Tonic Water Side Effects

• Allergic reactions: Ranging from simple rash, hives, itching, swelling of mouth, face, lips, and tongue to the life-threatening difficulty of breathing due to spasms of the respiratory tract.
• Gastric disturbances: Many have reported stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. These effects may worsen when combined with alcohol.
• It affects the nervous system: A common side effect noted from quinine water tonic was restlessness.

Quinine Sulfate Side Effects

• Blood dyscrasias: Thrombocytopenia was noted as a lethal side effect to quinine sulfate. Thrombocytopenia is the state of having decreased number of blood platelets, which are responsible for blood clotting, thus resulting to bleeding tendencies and hemorrhage.
• Cardiac symptoms: Irregular heart beat and rhythm, tachycardia, and chest pain were noted by people experiencing adverse effects.
• Changes in sensorium: This includes visual disturbances, difficulty hearing, and tinnitus, episodes of confusion, and faintness.
• Skin manifestations: Presence of ecchymosis, purpura, and petechiae has been observed with people who are experiencing quinine sulfate side effects.