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How Does Quinine Work?

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How Does Quinine Work?

  1. Introduction

    • Quinine is a natural alkaloid that has been used in medicine since the late 1700s. Known mostly for its ability to treat malaria, the drug is still popular today. Although quinine has also been used for relieving chronic leg cramps, the Food and Drug Administration has not officially approved the drug for anything other than malaria.

    Malaria

    • Malaria is a disease caused by a protozoan parasite, largely spread by contact with infection-carrying mosquitoes. Once inside a person, the malaria protozoa start to break down the haemoglobin in the red blood cells into two separate substances, haem and globin. The parasite continues to grow and reproduce, breaking apart the red blood cells in the body as it multiplies. This effectively causes an outbreak of malaria.

    How Quinine Works

    • Quinine works by interrupting malaria's reproductive course. To duplicate, a malaria parasite needs DNA. Quinine enters the bloodstream with the malaria parasite and binds itself to the DNA of the parasite. This blocks the parasite from reproducing itself. Once the parasite can no longer copy itself, the body can catch up, fight off the original infection and recover.

    Other Ways Quinine Works

    • Quinine is also sometimes prescribed for muscle cramps. Quinine works this way by delaying the amount of time it takes for muscles to contract. With the muscle unable to contract as quickly and as often, the muscle cramp is relieved.

    Side Effects

    • Quinine should not be used by those with heart issues, including irregular heartbeat, decreased function of the heart due to heart block or atrial fibrillation. Those with heart disease or a recent heart attack should not take quinine, as it may cause serious heart-related side effects. Those taking quinine may also experience a rash, kidney failure, headaches, confusion, abdominal pain and swelling of the face and lips. Additional information on side effects of quinine can be found at the link listed in Resources below.

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  • Photo Credit http://www.treeboss.net/images/Quinine-fungus.jpg

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