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Quinine User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Qualaquin

Quinine has an average rating of 9.0 out of 10 from a total of 20 reviews on Drugs.com. 94% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 6% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Quinine

  • Stormy
  • January 7, 2011

Qualaquin (quinine) for Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I had been on Quinine sulfate several years ago, for severe leg cramps in both legs and at that time is was a generic medication, then FDA took all off the market and allowed it to be brought back as a classified medicine, of course at a very high rate. But this works! I was at the breaking point with the pain, now I can still work, walk and sleep a full night without pain. What a wonderful feeling that is. Thank you."

10 / 10
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51 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 5, 2010

Qualaquin (quinine) for Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I develop severe legs cramps at night for some reason and found that Qualaquin works for me. Also, I have COPD- bronchial asthma and suffer with tightening of the chest muscles, not sure why. When I take Qualaquin, I have noticed the chest muscle relaxes, and I can breathe without the constant coughing. It gives me some time to physically recuperate for a couple of hours. Life saver!"

10 / 10
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45 Report
  • Jamie
  • April 13, 2020

For Malaria "Growing up in the jungles of Brazil during the 1950s, I contacted malaria many times. Quinine always got rid of the malaria, but the malaria would return almost routinely in six weeks. Sometimes I would reduce my dose if ringing in the ears occurred, and the ringing in the ears would always go away. I am 72 years old now, healthy, with no signs of ototoxity. Except for the pulmonary problems and the shakes, malaria mimicked the COVD-19. Presently, I make my own quinine from the cinchona bark, during this time. Does it help with the COVD-19? I have no idea, but at my age, and since I work in a hospital that cares for victims of COVD-19, I’ll continue taking it. If I’m home, I don’t take any, but When I go back to work, I resume taking the quinine. I know it kills the plasmodium but don’t know if it has any effect on viruses, other than acting as its anti-inflammatory affects. Thanks."

10 / 10
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16 Report
  • leaping...
  • June 25, 2009

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I've learned the warning sign of an impending leg cramp and I always keep a small supply of 200 mg quinine sulfate accessible. I use very small containers and have one in the car, one in my backpack when hiking and one in my pocket when out and about. My leg cramps are so painful that it seems that the muscle is tearing itself apart and luckily the pills are within easy reach so the tension ends within a couple of minutes."

10 / 10
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39 Report
  • Green...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • November 11, 2013

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I found this medicine in February, 2006 and my life changed dramatically. No more waking up in the night several times screaming as my muscles tore themselves apart up and down my legs. I have cramps in EVERY muscle, including the larger muscles in the front of the upper leg, and often involving the muscles from the groin to the ankle inside of the leg. They took it off the market in 2008 and I did not sleep again until I was told I could buy it again July, 2013. Now, the manufacturer is not going to make it anymore?. I have 20 pills left, as I have to take it daily with a timer on my phone that reminds me at 7 PM every day. I am so sad and depressed that I will no longer be able to get this medicine. I will be afraid to go to bed again."

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27 Report

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  • jeribug
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • May 16, 2012

Qualaquin (quinine) for Nocturnal Leg Cramps "When quinine was dropped and Qualaquin introduced I had to then fight my doctor for my prescriptions. I go from getting maybe 4-5 hrs sleep when taking it to 30 min x 4-5 times a day broken sleep. Without Qualaquin my quality of life goes from non-existent to manageable."

10 / 10
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28 Report
  • Honey...
  • March 29, 2015

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I use 1/4 tablet as needed (averages 1 time a week) when the cramps come on. They come suddenly and usually after being on my feet for many hours. There is no stopping them, i,e, walking, rubbing, stretching. They are the most painful experience you can imagine. The results after taking the quinine are almost immediate. Cramps stop, like a miracle. Sometimes they return in a few minutes and I take a second 1/4 tab. Never have I had to take more than that. I worry about running out of the ones I have because I thought doctors could no longer write prescriptions for quinine. No side effects."

10 / 10
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22 Report
  • CAROL...
  • August 30, 2011

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I have been taking quinine on and off for some years. I only take it when I get cramp in the night. It usually takes about 20 minutes for the cramps to ease off, enough for me to relax and go back to sleep."

9 / 10
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26 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 8, 2010

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I had been using Quinine Sulphate capsules for many years for severe leg cramps at night. I did not take a capsule every day but only when I had been on my feet all day and sometimes after a long day of golf or walking in heeled shoes. My doctor felt I was responsible enough to give me a bottle of 100 pills. This often lasted me well into two years or so. I have had leg cramps once again often since I was unable to purchase these capsules any longer. If they are again available I will be really content to once again be able to rid myself of severe cramps at least most of the time if I think of the circumstances of my day."

8 / 10
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21 Report
  • Calam
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 11, 2019

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "I have found that my whole body started to cramp up my toes to the point where they touched the bottom of my feet , which would leave a burning pain in my muscles and wake up every morning like I’d run 1000 miles in my sleep , since I’ve taken quinine I’ve had more than two hours sleep for first time In five years ,the relief is crazy about an hour after taking it my right leg un-swells"

10 / 10
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8 Report
  • galbers
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 23, 2015

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "Took 1 dose on evening of Aug 5/15. Felt unwell on Aug 6. Slept for 2 hours in the afternoon. That night I became agitated. Then began to perspire, feel shaky and had repeated muddy like stools, though not diarrhea. I developed excruciating pain in my back, first in the lower hip area radiating down my legs then up my back to my neck, and even the backs of my upper arms. The pain was so bad I couldn't tolerate any pressure and had to rest on my stomach. About 3 hours into this increasingly bad situation, I vomited 2 times bringing up both my lunch and dinner. This alleviated the upper back pain sufficient for me to get some rest. But I developed numbness in both forearms that is still present today Aug 23/15. No help from doctors."

1 / 10
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4 Report
  • lenova
  • May 28, 2014

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "A friend of mine told me that she drinks a can of schweppes tonic water once a day which contains quinine. She said it gets rid of her cramps at night."

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26 Report
  • darmo...
  • August 27, 2009

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "The quinine immediately stopped the night leg cramps that I have had for years. I take the lowest dose possible which is 200mg."

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 1, 2010

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "It is so upsetting that I can no longer get Quinine Sulfate for use when my legs cramp at night. I call my symptoms Dancing Legs because they just won't calm down without quinine. "

10 / 10
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24 Report
  • Sixmile
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 1, 2016

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "It works. Nothing else did for leg and foot cramps."

9 / 10
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14 Report
  • Brent
  • October 10, 2011

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "It cures the cramps but the side effects are BAD. "

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17 Report
  • DR WHO
  • June 23, 2009

Qualaquin (quinine) for Nocturnal Leg Cramps "Had to stop use because of rash across neck and arms."

8 / 10
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18 Report
  • Searo...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 3, 2020

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "Nightly leg cramps GONE if I drink any brand tonic water with lunch daily. If I miss for any reason, two days later they are back. No side effects."

10 / 10
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6 Report
  • Dani
  • February 5, 2020

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "If I drink about 2 ounces of Tonic Water with Quinine every day, I have no cramps, but if I don't take it for 2-3 days, the cramps return."

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4 Report
  • Angie
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 31, 2019

For Nocturnal Leg Cramps "Tonic water contains quinine. I have a small drink of it before bed every night and now rarely get cramps."

8 / 10
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4 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.