Can quinine cause liver damage?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 21, 2026
The hepatotoxicity of quinine is usually mild and resolves within 1 to 4 weeks of stopping. In many instances, jaundice and liver test abnormalities may worsen for a few days after stopping quinine, but fatalities have not been reported, and recovery is usually rapid.
Does tonic water hurt your liver?
Those who have an abnormal heart rhythm, low blood sugar, and have liver or kidney disease should avoid tonic water in every way possible. Also, expecting women are suggested to avoid drinking tonic water.
What are the long term effects of quinine?
Quinine may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
What is the most serious adverse effect of quinine?
Quinine should not be used to treat or prevent nighttime leg cramps. Quinine has not been shown to be effective for this purpose, and may cause serious or life-threatening side effects, including severe bleeding problems, kidney damage, irregular heartbeat, and severe allergic reactions.
What are the negative effects of quinine?
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- Blurred vision.
- change in color vision.
- changes in behavior.
- confusion.
- diarrhea.
- hearing loss.
- ringing in the ears.
- stomach cramps or pain.
Is it OK to drink tonic water every day?
According to the American Heart Association, excess levels of sodium (they recommend staying under 1,500 mg) can lead to water retention, along with puffiness, bloating, and weight gain. Our verdict: Avoid tonic water as a daily drink if you're concerned about your waistline.
When should I stop taking quinine?
Stop taking quinine and call your doctor at once if you have headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fast or pounding heartbeats, unusual bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums, purple or red spots under your skin), signs of infection (fever, chills, mouth sores), severe lower back pain, or blood in ...
How long does it take to get quinine out of your system?
Laboratory experience indicates that quinine nmy be detected as long as 4 to 5 days after intake.
Why do they put quinine in tonic water?
The quinine present in tonic water provides a distinctive bitter flavour. The inclusion of quinine in tonic is often associated as a primary health benefit of tonic. Quinine's primary benefit is for the treatment of malaria. It's not used to prevent malaria, but rather to kill the organism responsible for the disease.
What drugs should not be taken with quinine?
What Other Drugs Interact with Quinine?
- Serious interactions of quinine include:
- cisapride.
- dronedarone.
- eliglustat.
- pimozide.
- thioridazine.
Does quinine cause inflammation?
“We found that quinine reduced the levels of the inflammatory molecule interleukin 1-beta which is known to cause fever,” said Rehman. One of the challenges for treating excessive inflammatory responses is that many anti-inflammatory medications have major side effects.
Is quinine toxic?
Quinine, termed a "general protoplasmic poison" is toxic to many bacteria, yeasts, and trypanosomes, as well as to malarial plasmodia. Quinine has local anesthetic action but also is an irritant. The irritant effects may be responsible in part for the nausea associated with its clinical use.
Is quinine good for your body?
Other than its use as an antimalarial drug, quinine doesn't have any health benefits. While quinine in tonic water has been used as a home remedy for nighttime leg cramps and muscle pain, there's no evidence that it works.
Do they still put quinine in tonic water?
Quinine is still in tonic water, which is consumed around the world as a popular mixer with spirits, such as gin and vodka. It's a bitter beverage, though some manufacturers have tried to soften the taste a little with added sugars and other flavors.
Who should not drink tonic water?
According to medical professionals, quinine should not be taken by people suffering from low blood sugar, abnormal heart rhythms, kidney disease, or liver disease. It is also very bad for pregnant mothers. Coincidentally, people suffering from these conditions should not be drinking either.
Can too much tonic water be harmful?
Even three glasses daily should be OK as long as you are not sensitive to quinine. Some susceptible people develop a dangerous blood disorder after even small doses of quinine. Symptoms of quinine toxicity include digestive upset, headache, ringing in the ears, visual disturbances, skin rash and arrhythmias.
Is tonic water high in histamine?
As the table shows, the tonic water makes a difference in terms of calories. But always unbeatable: the very low histamine value.
What does tonic water do to the body?
Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink that may contain sugar and has little nutritional value. The quinine present in tonic water provides a distinctive bitter flavor. While not dangerous, tonic water does not have any benefits and could lead to an unnecessary increase in calorie consumption.
Does quinine help hair growth?
Milva Quinine Water decreases and stops hair loss. Everyday use and rubbing into the hair roots strengthens the hair and accelerates its growth, makes it flexible and strong.
Can quinine make you fail a drug test?
Quinine is sometimes used to cut illegal drugs like heroin, and the amount of quinine present in your drinks can return urine test results that mirror those of drug users. So you could actually end up failing both a breathalyser and a drug scan.
Is there a substitute for quinine?
Naftidrofuryl is an effective alternative to quinine in the treatment of this painful condition.
Why was quinine taken off the market?
In early 2007, FDA banned all prescription quinine products other than Qualaquin. FDA acted in this manner because of a perception that quinine is not effective for this condition and that its risk potential far exceeds its efficacy potential.
Can you take magnesium with quinine?
Taking quinine with an antacid may prevent your body from absorbing quinine. Some vitamins may contain "hidden" antacids such as some forms of magnesium.
How does quinine work in the body?
Quinine works by killing the parasite or preventing it from growing. This medicine may be used alone or given together with one or more medicines for malaria. Quinine should not be used to treat or prevent night time leg cramps.
How much quinine should I take?
Adults and children 16 years of age and older—648 milligrams (mg) (2 capsules) every 8 hours for 7 days. Children younger than 16 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.