Quinine
Quinine
Quinine (/ˈkwaɪnaɪn/ KWY-nyne) is a medication used to treat malaria, a disease caused by parasites. This drug works by killing the parasites that cause the disease. Quinine is also used to treat nocturnal leg cramps and lupus, among other conditions.
Etymology
The term "quinine" comes from the Quechua (an indigenous language from the Andes) word "kina", meaning "bark" and "quina-quina", which means "bark of barks" or "holy bark". It's believed to refer to the cinchona tree, the bark of which produces quinine.
Usage
Quinine is primarily used as a treatment for malaria. It is typically administered orally, but can also be given by intravenous infusion if the patient is unable to take it by mouth. Quinine is often used in combination with other antimalarial drugs to increase its effectiveness.
Related Terms
- Malaria: A disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes.
- Cinchona: A genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae, native to the tropical Andean forests of western South America. The bark of these trees is used to produce quinine.
- Nocturnal leg cramps: Painful contractions, or spasms, that occur in the legs during rest, typically at night.
- Lupus: An autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs.
Side Effects
Like all medications, quinine can cause side effects. These may include headache, dizziness, upset stomach, and blurred vision. In rare cases, it can cause serious side effects such as irregular heartbeat, severe rash, and ringing in the ears.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Quinine
- Wikipedia's article - Quinine
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