Quinine is generally used to treat patients with malaria. Quinine is harvested from the bark of cinchona trees in South America. Unfortunately, in recent years, Quinine has been used for "off-label" purposes to help patients with leg cramps. The off-label use has resulted in greater sales of the drug.

Several severe conditions have been shown to be caused by quinine use including cardiac arrhythmias, thrombocytopenia (a decrease in blood platelets that can result in hemorrhage and clotting), and hypersensitivity reactions. Quinine use has also caused severe reactions with other medications. Reports indicate that hundreds of patients have suffered adverse reactions to quinine, and nearly a hundred patients have died.

In December of 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release stating that the FDA had ordered the cessation of marketing medications containing quinine for off-label use due to growing concerns regarding serious side effects. The FDA has officially approved only one drug, Mutual Pharmaceutical Company, Inc.'s Qualaquin, to treat certain types of malaria. None of the other quinine-containing substances have been approved.

If you or a family member has taken or is taking quinine for leg cramps or some other non-malaria purpose, you need to contact your doctor immediately so that he or she can evaluate your condition and treatment. Then, call the quinine injury attorneys at Bohrer Law Firm for a free confidential evaluation of your possible quinine legal claim. If you have suffered a personal injury from quinine, you may have a lawsuit and a legal claim for your quinine injury.

If you believe you have developed a serious reaction to using a quinine product, you should contact the Bohrer Law Firm at 225-925-LAWS (5297) or 1-800-876-3911 or e-mail us for a free initial evaluation of your quinine claim.

INPORTANT LINKS

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01521.html

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/psn/printer.cfm?id=506

Call the Bohrer Law Firm. 225-925-LAWS (5297) or 1-800-876-3911. Free confidential initial consultation.