Quinine Attorneys
Williams Kherkher - Quinine Lawyers Answering Questions
Quinine is a substance that's been known to the entire world for hundreds of years, and as a result it's been used in several situations to treat medical issues. However, pushing its use into different contexts has caused serious problems as well, which is why the quinine lawyers at Williams Kherkher work to provide you with as much information as possible regarding this substance.
Below are a few questions our quinine lawyers have heard often over the years, but for an individualized explanation of your rights, contact our quinine lawyers for a free initial consultation.
What is quinine?
In its natural state, quinine is a substance that's derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, which traditionally grew in the Andes Mountains of South America. Since then, quinine's active ingredients have been farmed and manufactured synthetically into pill and powder form for use by consumers in several contexts.
How does it work?
Malaria is one of the most common diseases and is a very large public-health problem. Mostly, it is transmitted by mosquito bites. No one is exactly sure how Quinine works, but there are theories that the mechanism of action for Quinine is that the drug is toxic to the parasite which causes malaria. Quinine appears to interfere with the parasite's ability to break down and digest the blood's hemoglobin and then starves the parasite.
What does quinine help treat?
The first use of quinine by European cultures, whose explorers "discovered" this substance, was to help treat and eliminate malaria. This use continues today, and has helped reduce the number of malaria deaths worldwide for hundreds of years. In modern times, quinine was also sold over the counter to help people manage leg cramps. Quinine has also been used for its bitter tastes in other, non-medical situations.
What are the problems with quinine?
That depends on the situation, but generally there are two main problems with quinine:
- Its problematic interaction with other medications, and
- Its use for treating leg cramps without supervision.
These uses have led to the development of hundreds of serious injuries and even death in many cases.
What are the side effects?
Quinine can cause pulmonary edema, or swelling. In some rare cases, it can cause death. When injected directly into a nerve, Quinine can cause paralysis. Quinine is extremely toxic in the case of an overdose, contact poison control immediately.
What are other uses for Quinine?
Quinine is used to add flavor to tonic water, vermouth and other drinks. Traditionally, the bitter taste of Quinine tonic is what led British colonials to mix it with gin. Hence, the creation of the gin and tonic.
In the United States, the FDA limits tonic water Quinine to 83 parts per million. That is approximately one-half the concentration used in therapeutic tonic.
In France, Quinine is an ingredient of an aperitif known as Quinquina.
Often, Quinine is added to street drugs to "cut" the product and make more profit.
Because of its relatively constant and well-known fluorescence quantum yield, Quinine is also used in photochemistry as a common fluorescence standard.
In Canada, Quinine is an ingredient in the carbonated chinotto beverage called Brio.
In the United Kingdom, Quinine is an ingredient in the carbonated and caffeinated beverage, Irn-Bru.
In South Africa, Quinine is an ingredient in the carbonated drink brand Schweppes.
In Australia, Quinine is added in McDonalds Sprite beverage.
Mutual Pharmaceutical Company is the only company that is approved by the FDA to make a malaria drug - Qualaquin. Further, it is only approved for the treatment of malaria. However, Quinine has become a popular way to treat nocturnal leg cramps and arthritis.
What should I do if I've been injured as a result of using quinine?
If you have been injured as a result of using quinine, the first thing you need to do is seek immediate medical attention. After you've gotten your health evaluated, contact the quinine lawyers at Williams Kherkher for a free initial consultation. Quinine issues can be complicated, and you'll need the help of our quinine lawyers to come to an informed decision on how to proceed.