Herbal Spotlight
|
|
 Taking quinine sulfate (Qualaquin)
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed quinine sulfate to treat your malaria. This prescription medication is used to treat uncomplicated malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The brand name of this medication is Qualaquin.
How you'll take Qualaquin
The usual dose is 648 mg (two 324 mg capsules) every 8 hours for 7 days; however you should follow your health care provider’s instructions. You should take the capsules with food to lessen the chance of stomach upset. You should take all of the medication prescribed, even if you feel better.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, don't double up doses. If it has been more than 4 hours since your scheduled dose, wait to take the next regularly scheduled dose. Don't take more than two capsules at a time and don't take more than three doses in any day.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: headache, sweating, ringing in your ears, change in your color vision, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, flushing, mild hearing loss.
Less common: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, blindness, severe hearing loss, low blood sugar.
What you must know about other medications
This medication is affected by many other medications, including antibiotics, GI medications, antacids, and digoxin. Keep a list of all the prescription and non-prescription medications you take, and tell all of your health care providers that you're taking this medication. Your health care provider has a list of medications that should be avoided or that may require special precautions when taking Qualaquin.
Special directions
- Store this medication at room temperature in a dry place (not in the bathroom or near the kitchen sink) and in a tightly closed container. Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
- Take this medication with food three times each day, 8 hours apart (at the same time each day) for 7 days. Be sure to complete the full 7-day course of therapy.
- Use caution if you experience dizziness or vision or hearing changes.
Keep in mind
- Before starting this medication, tell your health care provider about any medical conditions you have, including heart, kidney, or liver problems.
- It isn't known if this medication can affect an unborn baby. If you're pregnant or wish to become pregnant, consult your health care provider.
- This medication could have affects on a breastfed baby. If you're breastfeeding, discuss the benefits and risks to the baby with your health care provider.
- Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It's prescribed specifically for your condition and may be harmful to other people.
- Report chest pains, palpitations, abnormal bleeding, severe bruising, hives, trouble breathing, blurred or double vision, blindness, fever.
For institutions
to distribute multiple copies of this document, a
licensing agreement is required from the publisher.
|
