Quinine Attorney

Health Risks of Using Quinine

The discovery of quinine in the 19th century was a miracle for many. There was finally a medication to treat patients with malaria. When the experimentation with medication grew in popularity, people began to use quinine for uses other than treating malaria. Patients with severe leg cramps noticed a decrease in this pain when taking quinine. As with using any medication for an off-label use, quinine has demonstrated some known side effects. Some of these are:

• Damage to the kidney
• Loss of hearing
• When ingested: thrombocytopenia, haemolytic anaemia, neutropenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• Heart issues such as heart attacks or a stroke
• Death

Theses side effects can be quite detrimental. It is well known amongst the medical profession that there are numerous health risks associated with taking any substance containing quinine. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clearly warned patients not to use this drug for any other reason besides treating malaria.

On December 11, 2006, the FDA went to the extent to order pharmaceutical companies that produce quinine-contained over-the-counter medications to pull these drugs from the shelves. The FDA also ordered companies to stop marketing these drugs, as there is only one drug that contains quinine that the FDA has approved. This warning was also directed to the consumer. Consumers need to understand that there can be serious health risks to taking a quinine drug for an off-label use as listed above.

Stricter Rules from the FDA

The FDA has recognized that the use of unapproved drugs has increased and has put consumers at serious health risks. Consequently, the FDA has laid down stricter rules which include a "Marketed Unapproved Drugs - Compliance Policy Guide." These new rules require that companies need to submit an application to the FDA with information ensuring that the drug being marketed is safe and effective. The FDA will continue to evaluate what steps need to be taken to protect the health and quality of life of consumers.

The Next Step: Speak to a Quinine Attorney

If you have taken a medication that contains quinine or know someone that has and have suffered any medical issues, you need to speak to a quinine attorney today. When speaking to a quinine attorney, be open and clear about the facts surrounding you taking the drug. This means you should be intelligible about when you began taking the drug, who prescribed it, what symptoms you were trying to treat, how often you took it, and so on. Also, if you have any medical records, bring them with you at your first consultation. Do not hesitate to schedule a free consultation with a quinine attorney at Williams Kherkher.